(PI-010) Snap, Heal, Repeat: Mastering the Art of the Wound Selfie

Kylie McMath, MSN, APRN, FNP-C, CWOCN, RNFA – Plastic Surgery – Loma Linda University

Introduction: The progression of telemedicine has necessitated a paradigm shift in patient-physician interaction, particularly for wound assessment (1). Our study presents a novel methodology for patients to document their wounds' progress via "Wound Selfies," thereby improving telehealth efficacy.

Methods: The study utilized a mixed-method design involving quantitative data from wound assessments and qualitative data from patient and healthcare provider experiences (2). The method incorporates an easy-to-follow wound selfie guide, empowering patients with no prior photographic skills to adequately capture their wound progress. It accounts for parameters like lighting, angulation, distance, and standard reference objects for wound size comparison (3).The protocol emphasizes consistency in imaging conditions, reducing variables that might otherwise affect the image quality and subsequent wound assessment (4).

Results: Wound progress is charted based on photographs taken at regular intervals using a common smartphone camera. These images are transmitted to clinicians via secure, HIPAA-compliant channels, and assessed using established wound grading scales (5).
The methodology's efficacy was evaluated in a sample of 20 patients with varying wound types. Preliminary results indicate a high degree of accuracy in remote wound assessment, comparable to in-person evaluations. In addition, patients reported enhanced engagement in their healing process and improved communication with their healthcare providers.

Discussion: his innovative wound selfie protocol holds potential to revolutionize wound care in telemedicine. It allows for accurate, patient-led wound assessments, enhancing patient autonomy, and engagement in wound care. This user-friendly approach to wound imaging is a game-changer for remote wound management and has implications for healthcare systems aiming to harness the full potential of telemedicine in patient care (6,7).

Trademarked Items:

References: 1. Perednia DA, Allen A. Telemedicine technology and clinical applications. JAMA. 1995;273(6):483-488.
2. Creswell JW, Plano Clark VL. Designing and conducting mixed methods research. 2nd ed. Los Angeles: SAGE Publications; 2011.
3. Burns KEA, Duffett M, Kho ME, et al. A guide for the design and conduct of self-administered surveys of clinicians. CMAJ. 2008;179(3):245-252.
4. Danks RR, Wiberg J. Practical guide to clinical photography in plastic surgery. Thieme; 2017.
5. Sussman C. Wound care: a collaborative practice manual for health professionals. Lippincott Williams & Wilkins; 2007.
6. Totten AM, Womack DM, Eden KB, et al. Telehealth: Mapping the Evidence for Patient Outcomes From Systematic Reviews. Rockville (MD): Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (US); 2016 Jun.
7. Bashshur RL, Shannon GW, Bashshur N, Yellowlees PM. The Empirical Evidence for Telemedicine Interventions in Mental Disorders. Telemedicine journal and e-health: the official journal of the American Telemedicine Association. 2016;22(2):87-113.