What specific challenges do patients with chronic wounds encounter when attending medical appointments related to wound care? A systematic review

Background: Chronic wounds can pose a significant challenge for patients and healthcare professionals including the morbidity and associated costs. It is therefore essential to understand the specific challenges faced by patients to make wound care services more effective and convenient for the patient population.

Aim: Using the PEO model, this systematic review aims to explore the specific challenges patients with chronic wounds encounter when attending medical appointments related to wound care.

Method: A systematic search of publications using MEDLINE, Ovid EMBASE, CINAHL databases was conducted in April 2024, and relevant articles were reviewed. Data extraction and a narrative synthesis approach was undertaken. The evidence-based librarianship (EBL) checklist assessed the methodological quality of the studies included. The primary outcome was to identify the specific challenges faced by patients with chronic wounds who attend medical appointments related to wound care. The secondary outcome was to determine wound healing progression, quality of life, complications of wound care, and adverse effects of wound care.

Results: Six studies between the years 2014 and 2024 described the specific challenges faced by patients with chronic wounds in a hospital or clinic setting. All six studies mentioned the pain and unwanted physical inactivity collectively affected the daily life of the patients and their capability of attending appointments. Increased cost of attending wound care appointments and travelling were elucidated by four studies. Increased waiting time during the appointments were also described by four studies. Additionally, two studies mentioned the difficulties of accessing public transport and heavy reliance on private transport because of the physical inability associated with the wound.

Conclusion: This systematic review identified several challenges faced by patients with chronic wounds when attending medical appointments. Key issues include increased waiting times, and the excessive cost of appointments. Pain, discomfort, and physical limitations further complicated attendance, particularly for distant clinics, leading to reliance on expensive private transport. Additionally, three studies reported decreased quality of life. These findings highlight the need for more effective and convenient wound care services for patients.