Volume 40 Number 1

As our president and vice-president state in News and views, we are living in unprecedented times as Covid-19 pervades and changes our society as we know it. It behoves us all to think about the fragility of life, who and what we are wherever we may be as individuals, as members of local neighbourhoods, countries and the global community. Our future is uncertain. And so, it is with people who are or have been faced a health dilemma that disrupts their usual way of life and creates uncertainty for themselves and their families.

Helen Keller’s life story is inspirational. On her way to becoming the first deaf-blind person to earn a Bachelor of Arts degree, she faced may challenges which caused her to reflect that, “Character cannot be developed in ease and quiet. Only through experience of trial and suffering can the soul be strengthened, ambition inspired and success achieved”¹ 

Uncertainties and life’s challenges after ostomy surgery and uncertainties in clinical practice parameters by health professionals caring for people with wound, continence and ostomy issues are common elements within articles featured in this issue of the journal. Yan & Jiang, like Johnson and colleagues, discuss the physical and psychosocial challenges that people with a stoma may encounter. They each describe the presenting problems and interventions taken to improve people’s quality of life post-surgery.  

Sibbald and Ayello and Qiang et al each describe uncertainties experienced by clinicians in clinical practice. Sibbald and Ayello’s international study further explores clinicians understanding and opinions on terminal ulcers/injuries, skin failure and SCALE with the aim of achieving closer global consensus on these matters.  Uncertainty around consistency of practice in managing Incontinence Associated Dermatitis (IAD) led Qiang et al to investigate ICU nurse’s knowledge, attitude and behaviours towards IAD. 

The future, longevity, aspirations and activities of any organisation when established are unknown. 

It is with pride the WCET^® Journal enters its 40^th year of publication. Although having reached this fantastic milestone, our future is dependent on retaining the interest and support of our members and related health professionals in remaining highly competitive as an academic journal.  Your contributions can assist in educating, inspiring and guiding the practice of others to improve the quality of lives for people with conditions requiring continence, ostomy, skin and wound advice.

What is certain is the journal has developed and advanced into a well-respected publication due the foresight and stewardship of many within and outside of WCET^®. We look forward to sharing some of these highlights with you in forthcoming issues.

Whatever challenges we are faced with individually or globally at this point in our lives we need to take comfort from one another, help one another and look for the joy and positives in life wherever we can. In the words of Eleanor Roosevelt, a great humanitarian in her own right, “Tomorrow is a mystery. Today is a gift. That is why it is called the present”.

Stay safe and best wishes

Jenny

Author(s)

Jenny Prentice
PhD, BN, RN, STN, FAWMA

References

1. Keller H. To Love This Life: Quotes by Helen Keller. American Foundation of the Blind. Reprint. 2000.