Evaluating the reasons underlying treatment nonadherence in VLU patients: introducing the VeLUSET Part 1 of 2

Although healing rates have improved with the use of compression therapy, venous leg ulceration recurrence rates remain very high. There is evidence that certain self-care activities may reduce the risk of recurrence, however, many patients do not adhere to performing these self-care activities. The reasons for this may be multifactorial. Furthermore, the literature indicates that some patients appear to have a poor understanding of their condition despite having received information from health professionals. Since a concordant relationship is dependent on shared decision-making, this apparent knowledge deficit may have major implications in changing health behaviours and achieving adherence with self-care. This article is in two parts - part one will briefly discuss health behaviour change models underpinned by social cognitive theory. It introduces the VeLUSET, a newly developed and validated tool which provides an objective measure of nursing interventions designed to increase self-efficacy.