Imagine a disease that causes pain, disfigurement, amputations, infections, sepsis, and death that results in tens of millions of dollars in treatment costs but is not taught in medical school. Welcome to the world of wound care, where many American doctors graduate knowing little about chronic wounds such as pressure injuries, vascular ulcers, diabetic wounds, etc.
I had the opportunity to teach a session on wound care at the American College of Physicians (ACP) Annual Meeting in New Orleans. A major thrust of my career is to fill the education gap and educate physicians on this important topic.
Wound care involves addressing complex health needs that render assessment and decision-making challenging. These include examining patients who are immobile and in pain, shepherding patients through transitions between care settings, care planning based on the values and goals of patients and families, educating patients and families on treatment choices, including aggressive and sometimes futile procedures, and coordinating care between multiple providers. It was my honor to be invited by ACP to teach a roomful of young primary care providers the basics of wound care.
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