The lived experience of venous access

Abstract

The intent of this study is to understand the patient experience of venous access. There are limited data specific to the experience of being cannulated within the healthcare literature. There is much research and information about the evolution of the procedure, the risks and benefits of this procedure, but there is little mention of how patients experience it. This thesis reports on research that explores the lived experience of venous access from the patients' perspective. Gaining insight into this experience may lead to understanding the impact of repeated cannulation from the patients' perspective and improving quality of care through a better understanding of the impact of establishing venous access through peripheral venous cannulation. The aim of this study is to bring forth the voices of a group of patients who have undergone repeated venous access/cannulations as there is a paucity of literature regarding this topic.