An online survey, which collected data from 24 different countries, shows that there is a need for extended research and education in wound care management. [1]
The eDelphi technique, which is an online survey that uses interactive decision-making tools to collect data, was used to assess clinicians’ priorities involving wound care management. Three surveys were distributed asking for clinicians’ views on wound care as well as ranking 35 research and 30 educational priority statements on a Likert scale ( a psychometric scale commonly involved in research that involves questionnaires).The survey received 350 replies from nurses, podiatrists, academics, medical doctors, surgeons and other medical professionals.
The study concluded that more education on wound care should be made available to undergraduate and postgraduate medical and nursing programmes. Top priority subjects for research and education were pressure ulcers, diabetic foot ulcers, dressings and wounds infections, especially for elderly patients with long-term conditions. The study hopes to encourage medical facilities to increase wound care education and wound care management.
‘Research is essential to building evidence-based practice and fundamental to development quality in standards of practice; education is central to achieving competence to deliver effective care,’ the study states. ‘The determination of research and education priorities is therefore an absolute requirement in developing services.’
For more information on educational opportunities and wound care managemnent, visit woundrounds.com and learn how telemedicine technology can help.
[1] Clinicians want increased wound care education worldwide. woundinternational.com. Web. 06 September 2012.
Patients do need to be aware that physicians have far more triniang and experience than PA’s and NP’s, and that is why they must practice under the supervision of an attending physician. As with doctors, there are good PA’s and NP’s and there are bad ones. PA’s in Illinois I believe have 2 years of triniang after a 4 year college Bachelor’s degree. Primary care physicians have 4 years of med school and at least 3 years of residency (7 years total) after college, and are much better at inpatient patient care than PA’s and NP’s.In my former practice, I let the PA handle relatively simple and/or acute illnesses when my schedule was booked. I am more hands-on than most physicians, so I really preferred to do the physicals, chronic disease management, preventive health care, and handle the tougher issues myself. This came in very handy if patients had to be hospitalized because I already knew their case rather than just depending on the PA. Of course, one problem with this was burn-out and lack of financial compensation given the ridiculous reimbursement system is this country. Primary care physicians are not rewarded for doing a good job, but certainly pay the price in malpractice when they do a bad job. Another upsetting situation was that our largest HMO (30% of total business) financially penalized me for spending too much money, despite having the very highest rates of keeping patients up to date with their preventive health care (e.g. mammograms, colonoscopies, immunizations, stress tests when indicated, etc.) which costs time and money. No good deed goes unpunished. One thing is certain there is a shortage of PCP’s (and RN’s)in this country, especially in rural areas. PA’s and NP’s can partially fill the void, but health care in this country will continue to decline unless major reform of the health care system is undertaken.
Thanks so much for sharing a physician’s perspective with us.