Desafíos en el cuidado de heridas infectadasinvestigación, percepciones y educación en Enfermería en España

Abstract

This thesis addresses the need to improve education on skin integrity impairment in Nursing, evaluating the current situation in Spain. The main objective was to determine the knowledge and attitudes of Nursing professionals and students regarding the deterioration of skin integrity and the care of infected wounds, as well as to observe the impact of educational interventions on this topic in students. To achieve this, two observational studies, a systematic review, and a quasi-experimental study with educational intervention were conducted. The first observational study examined doctoral scientific production in Nursing related to skin integrity deterioration, analyzing thematic focuses and types of lesions. The systematic review evaluated previous studies on cytotoxic effects and the amount of silver released by commercial dressings in treating infected wounds, noting high variability in methodology. The second observational study focused on professionals' and students' perceptions of their knowledge and satisfaction regarding wound infection management, revealing a significant need for ongoing updates. Finally, the quasi-experimental study identified barriers to knowledge acquisition, implemented an educational intervention, and assessed its impact, concluding that this methodology significantly increased future professionals' knowledge and confidence. The general conclusions highlight the need to review and strengthen Nursing education, particularly in wound care and infection control. Deficiencies were identified in the current training for managing infected wounds, underscoring the importance of updating educational programs to ensure adequate preparation. This work introduces new perspectives aimed at enhancing future professionals' preparation and patient care.