Identifying surgical wound care priorities from the perspectives of clinicians and health consumers in an Australian private healthcare context: A case study

Objective 

To identify the priorities and challenges related to surgical wound care from the perspectives of clinicians and health consumers / patients at a private hospital in Australia. 

Methods 

Twenty-five clinical questions related to five surgical wound management topics were developed a priori and presented to four clinicians at a workshop. Questions were ranked by participating clinicians using a consensus building approach to identify the top two research priorities. One health consumer who had experience with a surgical wound was interviewed. Transcripts from the workshop and the consumer interview were analysed using a deductive approach. 

Results 

The clinicians’ top priority questions focused on the importance of the consumer in their postoperative wound management, and the role of the wound care team in providing evidence-based care. The patient highlighted the vital role collaboration with clinicians played in the successful management of their surgical wound and continuity of care. 

Conclusion 

Strategies to partner with consumers in the prevention of surgical wound complications can be successfully incorporated into clinical practice.