Workstream 3:

How do open surgical wounds impact on patients’ lives? What outcomes are important to patients, carers and health professionals?

In this workstream we aim to explore the impact on patients and their families of living day-to-day with a non-healing or slow to heal wound. We also aim to identify the treatment outcomes which matter most to patients and clinicians.

We will:

Seek assistance from patient representatives in the design of the study and interpretation of the findings
Conduct in-depth interviews with 20 patients, purposively selected to ensure representation across age, gender and type and duration of wound
Conduct interviews with 10 clinicians (5 nurses and 5 surgeons)

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To date, interviews have been conducted with 17 patients with slow to heal or non-healing wounds. These patients’ wounds have mainly resulted from vascular or major abdominal surgery and have been preset for 6 weeks to 1 year. In some instances, patients have been asked if they would like to take part in a follow-up interview, in order to assess progress of the wound and its impact on their quality of life. Patients’ family members have been included in interviews when they have been present.

Interviews with clinicians are underway. To date, three interviews have been conducted with nurses caring for patients with open wounds, and further interviews with nurses and surgeons are currently being arranged.

Data analysis is occurring simultaneously with data collection to ensure all aspects of patients and clinicians perspectives are fully explored.

We would like to thank all the patients and clinicians who have contributed to the study so far.