It is becoming standard for patients to be discharged son after their surgery and for them to continue requiring wound care after discharge. The objective of this paper is to describe the experience of the patient who return for wound care and follow up after discharge.
Methodology: descriptive study with qualitative techniques carried out between july and september 2005, at the Fortaleza-Ceará district hospital. Data were compiled by means of a semi structured interview administered to eight patients at the time of their return to the hospital to have their wound examined.
Results: data obtained from the patients responses were organised into categories based on the analysis and grouping of such data.
Feelings of sadness, fear, insecurity and a feeling to run away were identified in the patients when faced with the existence of the wound. These feelings are counteracted by the sense of professionalism and availability of good technical means and materials in the hospital setting. Nursing recommendations and advice are considered as important by the patient and incentivise self-care.