Foot problems are common among nurses and are associated with individual and work-related factors. Prevention of foot problems in nurses should be prioritized to promote their working ability and predisposing factors identified as potential intervention targets.
Wound care is an important realm of nurses' clinical responsibilities, and a broad knowledge and range of skills are needed to perform efficient and safe patient care. Nurses' knowledge on this matter can be measured using knowledge tests. This study aims to identify, define, and analyse the knowledge tests developed for the measurement of nurses' wound care knowledge, and to evaluate the psychometric properties of the tests. This study was a systematic literature review. A total of 52 studies and 18 instruments were found. Of the 18 instruments, only 5 had been used more than once and were successful in a psychometric evaluation. These five instruments were analysed on the basis of their psychometric properties by using Zwakhalen et al.'s (2006) psychometric testing framework. According to the analysis, the Pressure Ulcer Knowledge Test (PUKT) and the Pressure Ulcer Knowledge Assessment Tool (PUKAT) were the most valid and reliable instruments for measuring nurses' wound care knowledge. Most of the instruments identified and analysed focused on pressure ulcers, indicating that future instruments could focus more on other types of wounds or on wound care in general in order to receive a broader understanding of nurses' wound care knowledge.
Aims and objectives
To identify general competence areas for graduating registered nurses and podiatrists providing chronic wound care.
Background
The provision of care for chronic wounds involves a team of multiple professionals, and registered nurses and podiatrists play an important role. However, previous studies have found that registered nurses have limited competence in wound care. In addition, there are no standardised international competence areas for the provision of chronic wound care by registered nurses and podiatrists.
Design
A qualitative design was used in this study.
Methods
The data were collected using six focus‐group interviews with the following professionals: (a) registered nurses; (b) authorised wound care nurses; (c) nurse educators; (d) physicians; (e) podiatrists; and (f) podiatry educators (N = 23). The data were analysed using inductive and deductive content analysis. COREQ guidelines were followed, See Appendix S1.
Results
The competence areas for registered nurses and podiatrists providing care for chronic wounds include knowledge, skills and performance in anatomy and physiology; aetiology, care and prevention of chronic wounds; and wound management and assessment. The competence areas also include a set of attitudes and values relating to chronic wound care and patients with chronic wounds.
Conclusions
In nursing and podiatry education and in working life, teaching should focus on these areas of competence in chronic wound care. This would standardise and integrate education on wound care, especially that of chronic wounds.
Relevance to clinical practice
Wound care is an important part of clinical practice in nursing and podiatry. It is suggested that registered nurses and podiatrists need general competence in chronic wound care to carry out evidence‐based, safe, high‐quality and cost‐effective care. These results could be used to define registered nurses’ and podiatrists’ competence areas and roles in evidence‐based wound care as independent healthcare professionals.
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