Speaker
Description
The Empathetic Hands: Wound Care Outreach course is designed for healthcare providers working with individuals struggling with addictions and homelessness and integrates the principles of the Registered Nurses' Association of Ontario (RNAO) Best Practice Guideline (BPG) on Engaging Clients Who Use Substances which promotes Equity, Inclusion, and Diversity. This course addresses challenges faced by vulnerable populations, recognizing that their wounds are often exacerbated by socio-economic factors, stigma, and limited access to healthcare.
The course is designed for healthcare professionals in hospital and also in community settings where resources may be limited, or persons may not wish to seek care in a formal medical setting. The course provides knowledge and skills to provide compassionate, inclusive, and effective wound care. It covers the physiological aspects of wound healing and the social determinants of health that impact this process. Modules include overcoming barriers to care, building trust, effective communication, and understanding the impact of trauma and substance use on wound healing.
By aligning with the RNAO guidelines, the course promotes an inclusive approach that respects the dignity and diverse needs of individuals experiencing homelessness and addiction. This course also promotes collaboration across disciplines and organizations within our Ontario Health Team partners. This approach aims to reduce health inequities and improve outcomes by ensuring that care is accessible, non-judgmental, and tailored to the specific needs of these populations. A pre and post course knowledge evaluation was completed, showing an improved confidence level from 53% to 84%.
Overall, the course fosters a healthcare environment that values equity and diversity, enhancing the ability of practitioners to deliver high-quality wound care to marginalized groups. Through this alignment with RNAO BPG's, the course contributes to a more inclusive healthcare system that addresses both the clinical and social aspects of wound management for those most in need.
Keywords
wound, addictions, homelessness, marginalized, mobile care
What RNAO BPG or tool/toolkit is this work related to:
Engaging Clients Who Use Substances
Author(s) Credentials and Title
Michelle Walsh, RN, BScN, MScN, NSWOCC
| Organization Name | Bluewater Health |
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