Reconciling increasing wound care demands with available resources.
Demographic and epidemiological data suggest that health-care demand will increase considerably in the future as a result of an ageing population and a rise in the prevalence of chronic diseases such as diabetes. This phenomenon has come to be referred to as the 'health care time bomb' in the popular press and political discourse. The authors seek to look beyond the headlines and political rhetoric to clarify the extent to which they reflect the likely future reality with a specific focus on wound management. The present-day burden that wounds and current wound management practices place upon the health-care system are detailed and clarified, and the potential future implications of increasing wound prevalence on the current picture are explored. Possible opportunities to enhance current wound management practice as identified in the analysis are discussed.
East London Foundation Trust, The Centre Manor Park 30 Church Road Manor Park, London E12 6AQ.
C
C
Dowsett
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A
Bielby
R
R
Searle
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001458:Bandages; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D002908:Chronic Disease; D003153:Community Health Services / Q000191:economics*; D005260:Female; D017048:Health Care Costs / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D006301:Health Services Needs and Demand / Q000458:organization & administration*; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D007871:Leg Ulcer / Q000191:economics / Q000628:therapy*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D003668:Pressure Ulcer / Q000191:economics / Q000628:therapy*; D040841:Resource Allocation / Q000458:organization & administration*; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors; D006113:United Kingdom; D014945:Wound Healing; D055815:Young Adult
community health services; cost of illness; leg ulcer; pressure ulcer; wound healing