The Public Health Burden of Chronic Wounds Needs a Whole Systems Approach

Abstract

The burden of chronic wounds is rising and therefore significant on both individuals and society. Whilst the mainstay of leg ulcer care is compression, the provision of this service is actually sporadic. This inequity is partly responsible for varying outcomes of care. In order to improve outcomes, a detailed understanding of the patient journey through a ‘whole systems analysis’ is required. Here, a detailed analysis of the processes and organisations the patient comes into contact with are understood and optimised to improve outcome.