A holistic approach to patients with chronic wounds – an example: A patient with non-insulin dependent diabetes mellitus with a diabetic foot ulcer for the past 15months
Jassin Hamed and Aliasgar Lokhandwala
University AlAin, United Arba Emirates
: J Regen Med
Abstract
When dealing with patients with chronic wounds, we often tend to treat the hole in the patient disregarding the needs of the whole patient. Assessing the patient as a whole – in regards of his diagnoses, needs, ability and pathology – with often multiple comorbidities, allows us to centre the patient and create a circle of care addressing all his/her issues and limitations including his setting in the professional and private life. Directing advice from the physician and caregiver unilaterally, takes all initiative and motivation from the patient. Instead we should empower the patient while in a circle of care to request and direct us to integrate the much needed help and care into his individual setting in life. Thereby he/she can overcome limitations that have often prevented successful healing in the past. We want to elaborate this with the example of a patient with diabetes mellitus and hypertension – in combination the number 1 predictor for poor prognosis in any cardiovascular outcome trial – What can be offered, what should happen and how to initiate tissue repair by changing a maintenance wound into a healable one.
Biography
