Attitudes of UK based wound specialists towards the use of mobile applications in wound care delivery: A cross-sectional survey. Part 1: Quantitative findings

Wynn, MO; Clark, M

Abstract

Introduction
This survey of wound care specialists in the UK aims to be the first study to
establish the prevalence of mobile wound app use and the perceived barriers to
their implementation in wound care. This article presents the quantitative findings
of the study.
Method
A cross-sectional survey of UK-based wound clinicians was undertaken to
explore the current usage of mobile applications in the field of wound care. A 40
question SurveyMonkey survey was utilised and distributed via closed Facebook
groups for clinicians working in UK-based wound care services. Data analysis
included calculation of Cronbach’s alpha coefficient for attitude scales, summary
statistics and thematic analysis of free text responses. Not reported in this paper
The STROBE checklist was considered within the methodology of the study.
Results
Overall, n=250 survey responses were received. Complete survey responses
were received from n=153 wound clinicians. This included responses from 121
nurses and 29 podiatrists and from clinicians from all four devolved nations of the
UK.
Conclusions
Only 21-24% of clinicians reported using mobile applications for wound care at
the time of this survey. Almost all (99.5%) of clinicians responding to the survey
have access to a smartphone with most (58.7%) having both a personal and work
smartphone. It is evident that UK-based clinicians currently utilise mobile
smartphones regularly, including within their clinical work, but do not currently
use wound care focussed mobile applications. Barriers affecting the
implementation of mobile applications in wound care services include a lack of
interoperability between mobile applications and other IT infrastructure, poor WiFi signal, negative attitudes towards technology, a lack of workforce diversity and
bureaucratic obstructions.
Implications for practice
Clinical leaders in wound care should consider the factors identified within this
study when developing implementation strategies for new mobile application
technologies into wound care services.

Citation

Wynn, M., & Clark, M. (2022). Attitudes of UK based wound specialists towards the use of mobile applications in wound care delivery: A cross-sectional survey. Part 1: Quantitative findings. Wounds UK, 8(2), 20-28

• Journal Article Type: Article
• Acceptance Date: May 16, 2022
• Online Publication Date: Jun 17, 2022
• Publication Date: Jun 17, 2022
• Deposit Date: Jul 19, 2022
• Publicly Available Date: Jul 19, 2022
• Journal: Wounds UK
• Print ISSN: 1746-6814
• Publisher: Wounds UK
• Volume: 8
• Issue: 2
• Pages: 20-28
• Publisher URL: https://www.wounds-uk.com/journals/issue/660/article-details/attitudes-uk-based-wound-specialists-towards-use-mobile-applications-wound-care-delivery-cross-sectional-survey-part-1-quantitative-findings