What did we do?

We collaborated with health care professionals from across GM in a rapid priority setting process to identify and rank research and implementation topics in wound care.

Why was it important?

In order to develop a future wound care research and implementation agenda to meet local needs, it is essential to work with local stakeholders. The use of collaborative processes (like joint priority setting) is known to improve the quality and relevance of research, and can help foster local ownership of research findings, supporting their meaningful translation into clinical practice and service delivery.

How did we do it?

We recruited local healthcare professionals who regularly cared for patients with complex wounds, were wound care specialists or managed wound care services. Those recruited were asked to submit up to five wound care uncertainties (‘unanswered questions’) in consultation with their colleagues and asked to attend a single day priority setting workshop.

 

Who did we work with?

Central Manchester University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust

Pennine Care NHS Foundation Trust

Salford Royal NHS Foundation Trust

University Hospital of South Manchester NHS Foundation Trust

 

What did we find?

Stakeholders offered a total of 159 uncertainties of which 25 were included in the final prioritised list. The uncertainties varied in focus, but could be broadly categorised into three themes: service delivery and organisation, patient centred care and treatment options. The top five priorities identified were: 

1. Does patient involvement in their dressing changes improve outcomes or increase negative outcomes?

2. What is the most reliable and valid method of grading pressure ulcers?

3. Would standardising wound assessments and tools across NHS settings improve staff productivity and patient outcomes?

4. How does nursing and/or professional skill mix influence wound outcomes in community settings?

5. Does continuing professional development in wound care improve the quality of care and patient outcomes compared with no annual update?

 

Downloadable Resources

• Publications

  Gray TA, Rhodes S, Atkinson RA, Rothwell K, Wilson P, Dumville JC, Cullum NA, 2018,  Opportunities for better value wound care: a multiservice, cross-sectional survey of complex wounds and their care in a UK community population, BMJ Open; Health services research 

 

More information
For more information please contact Alison Littlewood (Programme Manager) or Professor Dame Nicky Cullum (Academic Lead).