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Wound Care Specialization: An Important Trend Now Recognized as Board Certified Specialty

NORTH BAY VILLAGE, FL ---Dedicated wound care programs are increasingly caring for Americans with chronic wounds and could offer the potential to produce enhanced outcomes at reduced costs for payors and consumers of healthcare services. Evidence of this trend can be found in a variety of recent reports and studies:

A report by Frost and Sullivan indicates the US wound management products market is now $1.74 billion and should grow to $2.57 billion by 2002. The cost of treating the chronic wound is estimated at $5 to $7 billion, and these wounds are increasing at a rate of 10 per cent per year, according to the report.

The development of the American Academy of Wound Management (AAWM), a national, non-profit certifying board is another indication that wound care is coming into its own as an industry. Board Certification is now available for physicians, nurses, therapists, researchers and other healthcare professionals involved in wound care. Over 1000 wound care professionals have requested applications for board certification through AAWM.

The AAWM offers three levels of certification: Diplomate status, may be achieved by healthcare professionals with a doctorate degree from an accredited university and two years of clinical or research experience in wound care. Fellow may be available for those with a Master's degree in related health disciplines and two years of clinical or research experience in wound care. Clinical Associate status is available to health professionals with five years of clinical or research experience and/or a Bachelor's degree in a related health discipline. Professionals attaining Board Certification gain the designation Certified Wound Specialist and may utilize CWS following their name to denote this accomplishment.

Certification up may be achieved via submission of a portfolio documenting professional experience in wound care. At the end of the period of experiential credentialing, certification can only be achieved by a passing score on the national board certification examination.

AAWM certification benefits include: a certificate registered by AAWM, a listing in and a copy of the National Registry of Board Certified Wound Specialists, a subscription to the quarterly publication of AAWM, discounts on continuing medical education programs and an opportunity to help shape the future of wound care delivery.

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