In a bustling country like Vietnam, where motorbikes dominate the streets and acute wounds are a common occurrence, ensuring the accessibility of proper wound care knowledge is essential.
Recognizing this need, the Urgo Foundation led a project aimed at empowering Vietnamese pharmacists with the necessary skills and knowledge to address acute wounds effectively.
Two main objectives were identified:
– Acute Wound Care Knowledge Dissemination among Vietnamese pharmacists. With 73% of the population relying on motorbikes for daily transportation and the high incidence of acute wounds resulting from accidents, pharmacists serve as frontline healthcare providers. Equipping them with the right knowledge enables them to guide patients in caring for themselves and their families effectively.
– Strengthening Relationships between pharmacists and healthcare professionals like doctors and nurses. By leveraging their influence, pharmacists could better advocate for proper wound care practices among patients.
To these ends, three major events were organized:
- Hanoi Pharmacist Event (November 21st) and Ho Chi Minh City Pharmacist Event (November 29th) featured discussions on the role of a moist environment in wound healing, as well as the distinction between Advanced Wound Care and Traditional Wound Care. Instructions for wound care at home were also shared. These two events gathered more than 140 pharmacists.
The Mystery Patient Project was put in place in December to encourage practical application of learned knowledge. This Mystery Patient Project engaged 98 pharmacies which committed to prioritizing advanced wound dressing consultations, highlighting its advantages over traditional methods, and ensuring patients understand how to use advanced wound dressings correctly.
These three events marked the beginning of training sessions for retail pharmacists in wound care, facilitated by healthcare professionals. Feedback from participants indicated high levels of satisfaction and a willingness to recommend the training to other healthcare professionals. More will come soon!
By empowering pharmacists with the tools and knowledge they need, this initiative paves the way for better acute wound management and ultimately, healthier communities across Vietnam.
