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Background: Chronic wound healing is generally a long and uncomfortable process. Consequently, an understanding of wound-related pain from the patients' point of view and evaluation of the effect of pain on a persons' daily life is fundamental to their holistic management. Aim: The aim of the study was to involve patients in discussion about their wound-related pain experiences in order to inform the development of a questionnaire, based on the views of patients from different cultural backgrounds. This study represented one of the preliminary phases of an international survey which aimed to collect data on patient's wound-related pain experiences; from 15 countries world-wide. Method: An international qualitative study was conducted in patients presenting with chronic wounds to identify those aspects of wound-related pain which created most concern. French, British and Canadian patients with chronic wounds participated in a series of focus group studies. Results/Findings: Although a number of similar patient issues were apparent in all three countries, specific cultural differences were also observed: the French group expressed particular concern with body image, the British group were uncomfortable with medication use and the Canadian group were anxious about financial loss and apprehensive of the healthcare system. Conclusion: Wound-related pain can have a huge impact on a persons' everyday life and as such each patient's needs should be recognised and considered. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]