A Multicentre Cross-Sectional Survey of Non-Wound Specialist Nurses' Role in Orthopaedic Incision Care: Training...

This multicentre cross-sectional survey aimed to assess the knowledge, attitudes, and practices (KAP) related to surgical incision care, as well as the perceived training needs of non-wound specialist nurses working in orthopaedic departments in 15 tertiary hospitals across 10 provinces in China.

A multicentre cross-sectional e-survey was conducted.

A convenience sample of 437 non-wound specialist nurses from 15 tertiary hospitals across 10 provinces in China completed a demographic questionnaire, a questionnaire assessing knowledge, attitudes, and practices related to surgical incision care, and a wound-care training-needs questionnaire. Descriptive statistics, non-parametric tests, Spearman's rank correlations, and multivariable models for a continuous outcome were used for analysis. Ceiling effects were assessed as the proportion of respondents achieving the maximum possible score on each subscale.

The median total KAP score was 117 (IQR 106-122). The median scores for Knowledge, Attitude, Practice, and Training Needs were 16 (IQR 13-19), 45 (IQR 41-45), 60 (IQR 48-60), and 90 (IQR 82-90), respectively. Training Needs was positively associated with total KAP (ρ = 0.610, p < 0.001), as well as with Attitude and Practice, but not with Knowledge. Substantial ceiling effects were observed in the Attitude (64.5%), Practice (55.6%), and Training Needs (58.6%) subscales, indicating limited discrimination among respondents at the upper end of these score distributions. In multivariable analyses, higher Training Needs scores remained associated with higher total KAP scores.

Respondents generally reported favourable attitudes and practices regarding surgical incision care, although important knowledge gaps remained. Given the cross-sectional design and the marked ceiling effects observed in several subscales, these findings should be interpreted cautiously. Structured, competency-based training programmes may help address identified gaps in knowledge and technical skills in this population; however, the relatively high Attitude and Practice scores should be interpreted cautiously given the observed ceiling effects.

No patient or public contribution.