Health professionals’ decision‐making in wound management: a grounded theory

Abstract

These findings offer a better understanding of the processes used by health professionals' in their decision-making in wound care. Such an understanding may inform the development of evidence-based interventions that lead to better patient outcomes.

Wound management: Investigating the interprofessional decision‐making process

“…Furthermore, difficulty in understanding dressing types leads to a lack of adherence to the ordered treatment plan. Gillespie et al also noted how clinicians have a difficult time staying current in their knowledge regarding new wound dressings and management techniques …”

“…The second author conducted the interviews to minimise bias given the primary author's role in leading wound and ostomy care within the organisation. A modified interview guide developed by Gillespie et al was used in an attempt to remain congruent while incorporating different socio‐geographical perspectives . Initial questions were used from this interview guide to drive discussion and concept‐related questions were used if appropriate; however, clarifying questions were also used outside of the interview guide.…”

“…Explicit empirical validation was completed through the review and revision of data and codes to ensure that each property and value matched the appropriate category developed. Theoretical matching had the authors use the grounded theory study by Gillespie et al and divide the study findings into properties and values that were then sorted into the categories of our evolving theory to determine if further categorical change was needed . Finally, theoretical cohesion allowed the authors to review both theories to provide input on necessary modifications, criticisms, and observations to the evolving theory and develop a final process presented as a graphic illustration (Figure ).…”

“…Previous research conducted on wound care decision‐making has shown a lack of literature on this topic, noting that understanding this process could assist in the development of interventions to support the interprofessional team . The findings from a Grounded Theory study conducted by Gillespie et al provide a foundation for the development of a social process focused on wound care decision‐making by health care professionals . Unfortunately, traditional Grounded Theory does not allow for incorporation of established theories, reducing the potential further grounding of data .…”

“…A more recent methodology, multigrounded theory (MGT), allows for both the development of a grounded theory based on a socio‐geographical perspective and also incorporates pre‐existing theories, reducing the risk of knowledge isolation . The use of MGT to build upon the Grounded Theory foundation developed by Gillespie et al, will provide a social process transferable to a broader range of locations and situations . The purpose of this study is to determine the basic social process used by members of the interprofessional health care team in an acute care environment when making decisions around wound management.…”