Developing a Wound Care Fellowship Curriculum: A Promising Opportunity

Abstract Body: Background: Knowledge and skills in wound management are lacking for physician trainees in graduate medical education. Not only Geriatric fellows, but Family Medicine, Internal Medicine, and Dermatology residents have all had identified knowledge gaps in wound care. This indicates a critical need for physicians well-trained in wound care principles and treatment. Methods: An already established second year clinical year in wound care for Geriatrics fellows, which has been in place for 14 years, was used as the basis for the curriculum, with the goal to make the fellowship universal for trainees from any specialty interested in wound care. Physician faculty knowledgeable in the treatment of wounds were then interviewed regarding rotations they considered requirements for a wound care curriculum. The suggested curriculum for wound care fellowships according to two American wound care boards was also reviewed and integrated with the Geriatrics clinical wound care year and suggestions from the physician faculty. Results: A year-long curriculum for the wound care fellowship was developed which covers the spectrum of settings for wound care practices, incorporates rotations with specialties primarily involved in wound care, and provides time with the multi-disciplinary team required for best practice wound care. Rotation settings include inpatient, outpatient, long-term care, and telemedicine within private, public, and Veterans Affairs health systems. Specialty-specific rotations include Vascular Surgery, Plastic Surgery, Dermatology, Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Podiatry, Hyperbaric Medicine, and Geriatric Wound Care. The wound care fellow also works closely with multi-disciplinary team members including advanced practice providers, physical therapy, occupational therapy, wound care nursing, case management, social work, and nutrition. Conclusions: Geriatric medicine is already a specialty knowledgeable of the importance of working with other specialties and within a multi-disciplinary team, which is also essential for wound care. Geriatric departments may be uniquely suited for developing graduate medical education in wound care.