Building Capacity for the Appropriate Management of Wounds in a Developing Country

Abstract

Background: Wounds are said to be complex when factors such as the aetiology,  or the presence of co-morbidities make them are difficult to manage and delay healing. The presence of a wound often results in painful distress, poor quality of life and high financial burden. Identifying and promptly commencing the appropriate therapy for wounds of various levels of complexity facilitates timely wound healing. Training of health care professionals who routinely manage patients with wounds will increase their capacity to improve their wound care practices, thereby improving the outcome of wound care. The Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery team organised a 2-day workshop for healthcare professionals across the state.

Aim: This study aims to evaluate the short-term outcomes of this maiden workshop, highlighting the potential role of this initiative in enhancing appropriate wound care therapy in resource-limited settings.

Methods: A review of the participants trained in the 2-day Advanced Wound Care Workshop was done. The Pre-test and post- test results were obtained using Google form questionnaires and data analysed. The results were presented as texts, charts and tables.

Results: A total of 23 participants registered for this maiden workshop, including 5 males and   18 females. The professional distribution of the participants was 14 nurses and 9 doctors. There was a significant difference in the median pre-test score of 45% with a range of 8.3% - 91.7%, compared to the median post-test score of 91.7% with a range of 75% - 100% (p 0.05). The feedback indicated 100% satisfaction in the knowledge and skill gained in selecting the appropriate wound care solution, and satisfaction with the training quality. The participants indicated that they were willing to recommend subsequent wound care workshops to their colleagues.

Conclusion: The maiden edition of the advanced wound care workshop improved the skills and knowledge of healthcare providers in managing wounds. This initiative showcases the potential impact of structured wound care workshops in promoting the routine application of appropriate wound care techniques.