Objective This study had two objectives. First, to understand and then describe the experiences of persons who inject drugs (PWID) and who use self-care treatment(s) to deal with resulting skin and tissue abscesses. Next, to understand and describe their journeys to and experiences with formal healthcare service provision.Methods Semi-structured interviews were conducted with ten adults who have experience with abscesses, engage in self-care treatment(s), and utilise formal healthcare services in Nova Scotia, Canada. ResultsParticipants lived with abscesses and utilised various self-treatment strategies, including support from friends. Participants engaged in progressive self-care treatment(s) as the abscesses worsened. They reluctantly made use of formal healthcare services. Finally, participants discussed the importance of education. Moreover, they shared their thoughts in terms of how service provision could be improved.Conclusions Participants described their lives, including their journeys to intravenous drug use. They also described the self-care treatments they used to heal resulting abscesses. They used these self-care treatments because of a reluctance to utilise formal healthcare services. From a quality improvement perspective, participants outlined suggestions for: 1) expanding hours of service at the community wound care clinic and the centre; 2) permitting pharmacists to include prescribing topical and oral antibiotics; 3) promoting abscess prevention education for clients and healthcare providers; and 4) promising practices for the provision of respectful care during emergency care visits.Keywords abscesses, self-care treatment, persons who inject drugs, quality improvement For referencing Kuhnke JL et al. Self-treatment of abscesses by persons who inject intravenous drugs: a community-based quality improvement inquiry.

The aim of this case study is to demonstrate the importance of an interdisciplinary and comprehensive approach in promoting appropriate foot care information and footwear for individuals living with diabetes mellitus in the community setting. The following case study details the journey of an adult who was diagnosed with Type 2 diabetes during the coronavirus pandemic. Patients living with diabetes face a high risk of developing foot complications, foot ulcers and amputation. This article presents a case study of a motivated client who engaged and who continued to be involved and advocate for her care needs.

Introduction: Venous leg ulcers have an impact on individuals’ perspectives of pain, time, and hope. Community nurses seek to provide person-centred care to patients living with venous leg ulcers. There is a paucity of research exploring individuals’ experiences while living with leg ulcers, specifically their insights into the role of a neuromuscular electrostimulation medical device (geko™). Methods: Using a qualitative descriptive approach and telephone interviews, seven participants shared their experiences living with venous leg ulcers and when using a geko™ device. Research ethics was approved, and informed client consent obtained. Thematic analysis method was utilized to analyze the data. Interviews were typed verbatim and analysis focused on a data-driven approach, leading themes emerged. Results: Participants described regular use of pain medications. They described the concept of ‘time’ from the onset of the venous leg ulcer, through wound reoccurrences, and treatments. Participants described feeling hopeful the geko™ device would support wound healing and assist the wound to become smaller and heal faster. Conclusions: This small qualitative study adds to a growing body of literature focused on the role of the geko™ adjunctive therapy in venous leg ulcer healing. More research is needed to understand the role of adjunctive therapies as they may offer patients' hope and create optimism toward wound healing as part of multi-modal treatment approach. Keywords: geko™, individual perspectives, qualitative descriptive, pain, time, hope