My Scope of Practice: Patients Are a Virtue
This column and the Association for the Advancement of Wound Care (AAWC) are typically associated with clinician contributions. In a healthcare world where patients are encouraged to become informed advocates for their care, not addressing the value of patient input in care planning is shortsighted, counterproductive, and in some regulatory circles, somewhat risky.
Plus, because they are eager, wise participants in the healthcare information exchange, patients can provide a perspective like no other — a first-hand, immediate judge of what the body they know best is experiencing. With this in mind, “My Scope of Practice” turned to Matt Peeling, one of the first of a (hopefully) growing segment of Patient Members of the AAWC, whose insights will likely guide the practice of AAWC member clinicians and those who look to them as leaders.
Matt Peeling was originally a plumber by trade. He was injured in a forklift accident and has been a paraplegic for 20 years. In July 2005, he experienced a deep, non-symptomatic abscess; the infection got into his blood stream and he became septic. The abscess was opened surgically over his left ischium (despite his request that physicians avoid operating over bony areas — he had already done his homework) and drained. After two rounds of PICC lines and oral antibiotics for treatment of osteomyelitis, Matt is left with a “wait and see” prognosis but is encouraged by a centimeter of healing.
Matt’s Internet quest for wound care resources led him to the AAWC and people familiar with his problems. From just wanting “a little bit of information,” he learned there are folks who are familiar with and understand his challenges and can knowledgeably share advice about where to go and who to see. “I was looking for information specific to my problem and started gaining a better understanding of wounds in general and what new things are out there to try,” he says.
His non-profit experience (Matt is the Chief Information Officer for Mosaic Community Services, Maryland’s largest outpatient behavioral health organization and an affiliate of the Sheppard Pratt Health System) taught him the value of consumer involvement. He knew that as much as the AAWC could offer him, he could return the favor. So when AAWC Executive Director Tina Thomas invited him to join, Matt accepted — as a patient member of the Association, he will be an influential voice for AAWC patient initiatives. He also was willing to take a leadership role, becoming an active member of the AAWC Website Committee.
Matt’s membership affords him ready access to information that allows him to keep up with the latest wound care treatments and products. He enjoys the two official Association publications (OWM and WOUNDS) as well as networking opportunities with Association Board members such as Laurie Rappl, PT, CWS, a clinician who also happens to be a T-12 paraplegic; she and Matt connected via email. In turn, Matt reinforces with clinicians the fact that everybody is different and has to find his/her own ‘magic bullet’. “People like me provide the patient’s point-of-view as to what we go through and what is on our minds,” Matt says. “Clinicians need to listen to their patients — we are really in tune with our bodies. We have to be.”
Tina Thomas is enthusiastic about her patient members. “Our goal is to help,” she says. “Although we have a category for patient members (dues are a modest $25 per year), we’re not looking for a sale. Matt’s request for information was similar to others we’ve received, but his knowledge and proactive, uniquely positive attitude about his wound and treatment options were enlightening. Matt got in touch as a patient seeking support from an AAWC clinician member — his proactive role in his own care quickly established him as a valued AAWC member. I felt especially privileged to witness the patient-to-patient interaction between Matt and Laurie — something I had never seen during my career with the AAWC. The two shared experiences and swapped ideas. With time and input from patient members like Matt, I hope to see many more relationships develop among patients in the future.”
Matt received a personal invitation to join the Association because of the enormous potential for patient interaction he brings to AAWC. In short time, Matt has become an influential advocate for the wound care patient. Tina anticipates his leadership will influence the development of this most important category of AAWC membership. In turn, Matt wants other wound care patients to join the AAWC because “there aren’t many wound care resources out there.” “Thankfully,” he says, “the AAWC has what it takes to help.”
