Wednesday, June 1, 2016
Pavilion Ballroom (Hilton Portland)
Implementing a wound care plan for people experiencing homelessness can be challenging from a clinical standpoint. However, clinicians faced with dedicated time to complete wound care with a patient experiencing homelessness, have a unique opportunity to explore deeper spiritual and psychosocial wounds. The wound becomes a physical statement, representing loss, suffering and vulnerability experienced by the individual. When a dressing is removed the exposed physical wound becomes a conduit to the individuals underlying suffering. Clinicians completing wound care already develop therapeutic, trusted relationships by virtue of the care they are providing. This relationship can be a vehicle in which the clinician can connect with the greater wounds experienced by the individual. Physical wounds suffered by people experiencing homelessness often times stem from lifestyle, traumatic events, lack of access or attention to chronic health conditions and many other sources. Wounds not only represent past events, and present challenges, but also impact hope for future. This poster introduces the theory of contemplative wound care; using wound care time to explore the meaning of the wound to the individual and deeper suffering they experience. The poster will include 5 contemplative practices, which may be used by clinicians during wound care. Case examples will further illustrate use of contemplative wound care practices with people experiencing homelessness at a low barrier shelter, and the resulting positive outcomes. The poster will not only offer practical take away practices, but it will offer a unique perspective to clinicians who encounter people experiencing homelessness seeking wound care.