A multidisciplinary approach to wound care will become increasingly important in the years ahead, according to those at the annual meeting of the American College of Wound Healing and Tissue Repair.

The Chicago event featured a multidisciplinary faculty of opinion leaders who addressed scientific breakthroughs, clinical research developments, and policy and regulatory issues that will change the landscape of modern wound care.

Collectively, the sessions depicted wound healing as a complex biological process that requires a multidisciplinary, coordinated care plan.

Speakers noted that there is a lack of formal education available for physicians, nurses, therapists and all ancillary health care providers on the science and treatment of non-healing wounds. There is a critical need for rigorous training, research, evidence-development and advocacy to improve outcomes of non-healing wounds, which result in $20 billion a year in costs to the healthcare system.

Certain wounds — diabetic, venous, arterial and pressure ulcers — are considered inherently difficult to heal and at risk of becoming chronic due to the underlying disease or condition, such as diabetes.