For our Wound Research Voices feature, we are delighted to share a summary of Dr Natali Johnsson’s PhD Thesis, titled: “Planning and monitoring self-care for patients with venous leg ulcers: With a focus on healthcare professionals in primary care.” The thesis was successfully defended in 2025. 

Dr Johnsson’s research addresses the challenge of supporting patients with venous leg ulcers in managing their self-care, which is crucial for healing, preventing recurrence, and improving quality of life. Across four interconnected studies, the thesis investigates healthcare professionals’ experiences of self-care planning and monitoring, clarifies the concept of self-care monitoring, and evaluates a structured intervention in primary care. 

Key outcomes include the definition of self-care monitoring as a routine process of observing symptoms, signs, and actions, the recognition of collaborative and motivational conversations as central to shared responsibility, and the development of PePP (Personal self-care Planning Process). This intervention, comprising a patient book, short films, and structured dialogues, was experienced as adaptable and valuable for guiding conversations, strengthening reflection, and promoting engagement, despite organisational challenges. Together, these insights provide new knowledge to support sustainable, person-centred ulcer care in primary healthcare.