The inadequacy of wound management training for medical professionals

Abstract

Objective: The goal of the selective was to gather information on the training received by medical professionals on wound management and treatment during their formal tertiary studies towards the MBChB/MBBCh degree. Design: A qualitative study was conducted from March 2011 to November 2011. Setting and subjects: Thirty participants were either interviewed, or asked to complete a questionnaire. Some of the data were quantified to make it more readable. Results: Eighty-eight per cent of participants stated that “no”, “very little” or “minimal” time is being spent on wound management education during their training. Seventy-seven per cent of medical practitioners felt uncertain about what wound care treatment should be prescribed, and 97% of medical practitioners said that wound care education was very important and that more training should be provided in this field. Conclusion: The care of wounds is often a nursing staff responsibility. According to the scope of practice of nurses, the medical practitioner’s prescription should be followed. If the incorrect prescription is given, the nurses will not provide the correct wound care treatment. Therefore, it is imperative that medical professionals are educated in available scientific wound assessment and treatment options to be able to correctly prescribe a wound care regime to a given patient. Future medical practitioners should be equipped, through education, with the scientific knowledge and art of advanced wound care practices in order to provide the best treatment recommendations and care for patients.