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.