[Wound networks in Germany: structure, functions and objectives 2014]

Wound networks are structured collaborations between various professions and medical disciplines in the field of treatment of patients with chronic wounds. In view of the complex chronic courses of such wounds with many relevant underlying diseases, comorbidities and a multitude of possible therapy options, the evidence-based structured treatment of patients with wound problems is of particular importance. However, this treatment is very heterogeneous and often uncoordinated.

This article describes a stocktaking of the active regional wound networks in Germany with characterization of their structures, activities and objectives.

A nationwide survey was carried out targeting wound specialists and wound societies as well as already established wound networks for which an updating was carried out. All identified networks were issued with a standardized questionnaire about the size of the network, extent of regional coverage, participating medical disciplines and professional groups and activities. In addition to the preformulated questions, free text information was also encouraged.

A total of 35 wound networks could be identified. The majority of networks consisted of representatives of hospitals as well as physicians in private practice and nursing personnel. The most frequently represented medical disciplines were vascular surgeons (74%), general physicians (63%), diabetologists (60%), general surgeons (60%) and dermatologists (57%). The most frequent activities were informal meetings on further education (77%), exchange of experiences and second opinions (both 71%) and consultation on patient treatment (69%). Selective contracts were only implemented in very few cases.

The wound networks established in Germany on self-initiatives represent strong interdisciplinary and interprofessional-oriented specialist platforms with a high potential for structured and efficient treatment. Incentives for systematic utilization of these structures in the course of improvements in quality and remuneration of treatment of patients with chronic wounds would be desirable.