Telemedicine and opportunity in wound care ; resume of solutions for beginners.

Luc Teot*, as President of Catel and Council member of the EWMA (European Wound Management Association), shares with you this video and article he recently published. Their goal is to explain why and how telemedecine can be one of the best solutions to cope with the challenges care systems are dealing with during the COVI-19 crisis. This document, based on the French experience in this field, is an introduction to wound care management, including to teleconsultation, explaing the assets of these practices and clues to set the appropriate organization around the patient.

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As states the introduction of this article ; "Telemedicine is a huge opportunity during the COVID-19 crisis. The COVID 19 hits the whole world, redefining the relationship between the caregivers and the patients. In this period of containment, many patients are loosing chances to be accepted in the hospital clinics and most of the caregivers are not any more in capacity to go at home and deliver their usual care. This is time to think differently. In a recent article, we described a RCT into which complete healing was the primary outcome. We observed no difference between a group of patients taken in charge by telemedicine and patients going in the reference center. The telemedical acts were always realized between an expert in wound healing and the usual primary care nurse during her(his) dressing change at home. This model may be extended in all modern countries and probably around the globe. In many countries reimbursement of telemedicine is an issue, but with the COVID period, laws are quickly adapted to the reality and can help to follow your patients."

Extract from the conclusion : "The actual period of COVID 19 pandemia limits the capacity to practice wound healing in normal conditions. Telemedicine has progressed from amateurism to a regulated practice. In this context, the relationship expert patient should be realized with the help of local assistants (nurse, assistant nurse, etc…)  and the active participation of the patient when possible. At this price telemedicine has been extensively developed in some countries and should be considered as the best way to prevent contamination."

Article submitted for publication on teleclinics.eu by *Luc Teot, Montpellier University Hospital, President of SFFPC (the French Society of wound care), President of Catel, Council Member of EWMA - Chloé Geri, MD - Julie Lano,MD.