Chronic wound care is challenging for the entire healthcare ecosystem, from clinicians to patients, and COVID-19 has only exacerbated those challenges. Patients are delaying primary care provider and wound clinician visits for ongoing guidance and therapy to reduce possible exposure to the virus. This is understandable, as many chronic wound patients are in the high-risk category if they become ill with COVID-19.1 They are also putting off elective surgeries, annual physicals, and basic preventive care, which can negatively affect long-term outcomes.
A survey of wound care clinicians in March 2021 reported a decrease in patient visits from pre-pandemic numbers, and 57% of respondents stated that "wound severity has either increased or significantly increased since the start of the pandemic."2 At the same time, the pandemic has accelerated patient-driven care and increased usage of interactive devices for care administered at home, rapidly increasing the use of telemedicine across demographics. In fact, one report by the research firm Frost & Sullivan says the demand for telemedicine services in the United States grew by over 60% in 2020 due to the pandemic.3
As the pandemic continues, it’s important to look at how reduced access to care might affect wound care in the future and how patient-driven and more value-based care options will come into play in daily practice.
A survey of wound care clinicians in March 2021 reported a decrease in patient visits from pre-pandemic numbers, and 57% of respondents stated that "wound severity has either increased or significantly increased since the start of the pandemic."2 At the same time, the pandemic has accelerated patient-driven care and increased usage of interactive devices for care administered at home, rapidly increasing the use of telemedicine across demographics. In fact, one report by the research firm Frost & Sullivan says the demand for telemedicine services in the United States grew by over 60% in 2020 due to the pandemic.3
As the pandemic continues, it’s important to look at how reduced access to care might affect wound care in the future and how patient-driven and more value-based care options will come into play in daily practice.
