Interprofessional education in lower extremity wound care Karen Ousey, Caroline McIntosh Background: Wound care has often been perceived to be the domain of the nurse, yet other professions are taking a lead in this specialist area of clinical practice. Podiatrists assess, manage and evaluate the care of lower limb conditions including lower extremity wounds. It is essential that nurses and podiatrists develop partnerships and close working relationships to ensure that patients receive coordinated evidence-based care. Aim: To discuss and explore the importance of interprofessional education (IPE) and interprofessional clinical working in achieving effective collaboration between two professions regularly involved in wound care. Methods: A focus group (n=6) consisting of nurses and podiatrists was undertaken at the University of Huddersfield, UK. Findings: The issues of professional identity, learning to share, documentation and the importance of IPE for nurses and podiatrists were identified as key themes within the discussions. Conclusion: IPE is vital if nurses and podiatrists are to understand the roles of each profession in relation to wound care.The need for shared learning opportunities at undergraduate level requires development to ensure that both groups are offered the opportunity to learn together. Abstract Karen Ousey is Principal Lecturer, Department of Nursing and Health Studies, Centre for Health and Social Care Research, University of Huddersfield; Caroline McIntosh is Head of Podiatry/Senior Lecturer, Discipline of Podiatry, School of Health Sciences, NUI Galway, Galway, Ireland KEY WORDS Nurses Podiatrists Wound care Interprofessional working W ound care has often been perceived to be the domain of nurses, yet as healthcare services change and specialist services develop, other professions are also taking a lead in developing this specialised area. Podiatrists assess, manage and evaluate the care of lower limb conditions, including the assessment and management of acute and chronic lower extremity wounds. As such, it is essential that nurses and podiatrists strive to develop partnerships and close working relationships to ensure that patients with lower limb wounds receive optimal evidence-based care. and patient care (Zwarenstein et al, 2009). One proposed strategy to overcome this is the inclusion of interprofessional education (IPE) into pre-registration health and social care programmes. Zwarenstein et al (2009) stated that IPE offers a possible way to improve collaboration, professional practice and healthcare outcomes. Defining interprofessional education The Centre for the Advancement of Interprofessional Education (CAIPE, 2002) stated that IPE occurs when two or more professions learn with, from and about each other to improve collaboration and quality of care. The importance of professions working and learning together cannot be emphasised enough to ensure that patient care is evidence-based and a seamless service is provided. The field of wound care encompasses the skills of many professions, including nurses and podiatrists. Both professions encounter wounds on a daily basis, particularly those associated with the lower limb, and, as such, it is essential that the two professions work in collaboration, maintaining close Clinical RESEARCH/AUDIT 21 Wounds UK, 2010, Vol 6, No 2 The importance of professions working and learning together cannot be emphasised enough to ensure that patient care is evidence-based and a seamless service is provided. Background The assessment and management of patients with chronic wounds is a complex activity that requires an interprofessional approach to ensure effective, high quality care is achieved. However, Reeves et al (2008) argue that health and social care professionals do not collaborate well together which can negatively impact upon the delivery of health services