Volume 31 Number 4

It has been another busy year for Wound Practice and Research and we are already planning for 2024, with another special issue on skin currently in development. In this edition of the journal you will find a delightful mix of original research from national and international authors from both bench and bedside. Felix et al from the United States of America present a cross-sectional study of pressure injury in aged care residents with obesity. This paper demonstrated that ‘for profit’ facilities had a 13% increased odds of stage 2-4 pressure injury in an adjusted model, that larger aged care facilities had lower odds of pressure injury and that with every additional hour of registered nursing time was associated with 11% reduction in the odds of pressure injury. This is certainly topical with the recent Aged Care Royal Commission and the rapid changes we are seeing in this sector, particularly in wound care. Clegg et al present a Delphi study which maps what wound education content should be delivered, and when, in Australian undergraduate nursing curricula. This is a much needed piece of work which addresses the issue that graduate nurses could be better equipped with wound care skills and knowledge, and that there is huge variation between institutions across Australia. This paper provides the foundations for universities across Australia to use an evidence-based approach when updating their curricula to include wound care.

Karinuthilaka et al present a protocol for an investigation into cognition in people with diabetes-related foot ulceration. This project plans to measure differences in cognitive status between individuals with active foot ulceration and those without. We certainly look forward to this project being completed. Bhosale et al present the effectiveness of Withania leaf extract in wound healing in rats and show promising results. Smith et al present an examination of quality of life in individuals with venous leg ulceration, demonstrating that venous leg ulcers have a negative impact on quality of life, with frailty, disability and obesity identified as significant predictors of quality of life.

We would like to take this opportunity to thank all of the authors who have submitted their work to our journal in 2023, the reviewers and editorial board for their continued support and, of course, the readers for your continued interest. I am sure you are all counting down the days to a restful break over summer and enjoying some time with friends and family - wishing you all the best!

Author(s)

Peta Tehan and Zlatko Kopecki
Editors, Wound Practice and Research