Patient-Centered Education in Wound Management: Improving Outcomes and Adherence

Abstract

Patients with chronic wounds make daily decisions that affect healing and treatment outcomes. Patient-centered education for effective self-management decreases episodes of care and reduces health expenditures while promoting independence. Theoretical frameworks, including the Health Belief Model, Theory of Planned Behavior, Social Cognitive Theory, and Transtheoretical Model of Behavior Change, can assist healthcare providers in identifying strategies that enhance adherence. These strategies include the use of motivational interviewing, a communication technique designed to elicit patients’ perspectives regarding treatment goals, outcome expectations, anticipated barriers, and intentions to follow provider recommendations. GENERAL PURPOSE To educate wound care practitioners about methods of communication that can help promote patient adherence to wound healing recommendations. TARGET AUDIENCE This continuing education activity is intended for physicians, physician assistants, nurse practitioners, and nurses with an interest in skin and wound care. LEARNING OBJECTIVES/OUTCOMES After participating in this educational activity, the participant will: 1. Distinguish the use of theoretical frameworks to promote patient adherence to prescribed wound healing recommendations. 2. Synthesize the principles of motivational interviewing to best encourage patients to adhere to prescribed wound healing recommendations. 3. Select the appropriate self-care strategies for patients who have nonhealing wounds.

Evaluation of a Virtual Team-Based Project Designed to Improve Chronic Wound Patient Care in Ontario, Canada

“…To overcome some of these gaps, ECHO Ontario Skin and Wound Care will provide virtual boot camps to educate health professionals to manage common chronic wounds and advocate on behalf of patients and healthcare professionals to deliver improved patient outcomes. One specific focus will be on educating caregivers to ask patients open-ended questions; such interactions help identify barriers to adherence and provide patients with more information on wound management skills, which has been shown to significantly improve treatment outcomes 23 …”

“…One specific focus will be on educating caregivers to ask patients open-ended questions; such interactions help identify barriers to adherence and provide patients with more information on wound management skills, which has been shown to significantly improve treatment outcomes. 23…”

Creating a Comprehensive Hospital-Based Skin and Wound Care Program to Improve Outcomes and Decrease Pressure Injuries

“…The WOC NSs developed primary relationships with patients, leading to trust, and healing of complex and difficult wounds was celebrated. When nonadherence continues to pose barriers to care, Callender et al 6 suggest clinicians assess the six key aspects as listed previously.…”

Creating a comprehensive hospital-based skin and wound care program to improve outcomes and decrease pressure injuries

“…When nonadherence continues to pose barriers to care, Callender and colleagues suggest clinicians assess the six key aspects listed previously. 6 One patient, a retired senior military leader, had a venous ulcer that wouldn't heal. The WOC NS was seeing him in the clinic several times a week for dressing changes and attempted to send a home-care nurse to follow up with care and a home assessment, but the patient refused.…”

“…The WOC NSs developed primary relationships with patients, leading to trust, and healing of complex and difficult wounds was celebrated. When nonadherence continues to pose barriers to care, Callender and colleagues suggest clinicians assess the six key aspects listed previously 6…”