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Achieving high standards of care for patients with wounds is certainly a global issue. But even for those clinicians interested in this subject for the most part, we practice locally or regionally. Many practices and policies need to be national, or international with regional modifications to fit into local customs, cultures, and more importantly health care systems.
Many key opinion leaders, so called experts—often defined by age or amount of grey hair—have the opportunity to visit other geographies around the world to share experiences. They in turn share their newfound knowledge, from the far‐flung corners of the world, with colleagues in their home geographies. This seems to be the current method of dissemination and is somewhat ad hoc.
Some more formal methods of exchanging ideas and experiences do exist, such as courses (eg, MSc in Tissue Repair at Cardiff University) or publications like those we publish in the International Wound Journal. This approach has not truly changed in the past few decades within wound care. Some publications, courses, and other educational activities have embraced new technology and used social media approaches to better facilitate this process of exchanging ideas but have they truly made a difference?
We have previously discussed online communities, some of which are dedicated to the more focused areas of wound healing (eg, diagnostics). Sadly the uptake and participation to date has been poor. One cannot deny the need for more information in this important clinical area, but one does need to understand how best to inform those with such needs. On a social basis, most of those involved probably use platforms like Facebook every day. So, why not for professional reasons?
How as wound healers can we embrace technology to better facilitate international communication, sharing of ideas and experiences, beyond those lucky few that travel the world? Can we learn from experiences in other health care areas or even look for practices in non‐health‐related fields that have resulted in a step change approach to a subject.
The IWJ has played an important part in this journey, as have other publications and resources. But our world is changing and the new caregivers moving forward think and obtain information in a very different way. So how do we and other providers change with the times? Deliver content and resources both practically and efficiently to meet users' needs?
The challenge is real and the solutions have to be developed and evaluated if we are to maximise the potential of the new generation of wound clinicians. The IWJ is strategising now to maximise its next decade of delivery. If you have any ideas, desires or solutions then drop us an e‐mail at editor@internationalwoundjournal.com. Let your voice be heard for the future delivery of wound care information.