By Giavanna DiLoreto, MPAS, PA-C
Currently, wound care clinics are run primarily by a variety of other specialties, including surgery, podiatry, plastics, vascular, and rheumatology. Despite this landscape, one could argue that no one is more well-versed in treating the integument than those specializing in dermatology. We see a great deal of wounds, and logically are a perfect fit to treat these patients. While we value our counterparts and understand that they are crucial to the healthcare team, involving dermatology could bridge gaps in care and aid the wound care centers from getting bogged down with conditions that we are capable of treating. Patients suffering from chronic wounds, superficial venous ulcers, mild diabetic foot ulcers, and post-op wounds are certainly within the dermatology wheelhouse. By committing to improving our education and clinical skills regarding wound care, discussing wound healing at conferences, and taking the lead among our colleagues, as a specialty we can become the front line for these patients in need.
In SDPA’s online Lower Extremity Wound Care Course featuring Andrew Rader, MD, we learn everything there is to know about wound care from a dermatology perspective, including intake, etiology, treatment of both acute and chronic wounds, shifting expectations, and approved products and techniques that can help persistent wound outcomes.
We learn that wound care can be gratifying. Some wounds heal quite easily with debridement and compression while others require follow up and patience. We will feel rewarded by saving our patients from long term antibiotic use and inpatient therapy. We will relieve hospital systems from longer stays and higher costs. We can work on a team of caretakers for a population whose wound care needs are increasing. There is tremendous growth opportunity, and as you pursue your niche in dermatology, I encourage you to consider the possibilities in wound care. Will you be the wound guru in your area?
Editor’s Note: The Lower Extremity Wound Care Course is available on SDPA’s Learning Center accessible here: http://tinyurl.com/yc5kat4h.
Comments...
Giavanna DiLoreto says...
Posted Wednesday, January 31, 2024
Great course!
