Smith & Nephew: Towards a published patient identification tool to support healthcare professionals implement more effective patient led care internationally

Wound care is recognised as an area of healthcare which can spearhead the way in patient led / shared care.  Smith & Nephew wanted to understand how to support leading healthcare professionals with tools which can facilitate this new approach to management internationally.  This insight would also serve to guide product innovation.  This method of management became particularly important during the pandemic when outpatients were less able to visit hospital - but it remains an enduring challenge in the context of low staffing levels and growing waiting lists.

Our 7 market qualitative and quantitative research with healthcare professionals, patients and caregivers explored how to best segment and profile patients and caregivers according to identified differences in their engagement with and ability to participate optimally in shared care.  Our work supported the development of a workable identification tool pioneered by leading healthcare professionals in this field.  This perspective has been published and supports the ongoing evolution of patient led care.