News release

From: Murdoch University

Chronic wounds impact around 450,000 Australians every year, requiring ongoing at-home monitoring, care and treatment to prevent infection.

Healthcare is increasingly moving beyond hospitals and into people's homes, and family caregivers have become essential partners post-discharge – however, many may feel unprepared for the complex decisions they’ll face day-to-day.

New research by Murdoch University PhD candidate Chunhong Yu has identified that caregivers are struggling to make decisions in uncertain situations, , particularly when access to professional support is limited.

“Family caregivers need to judge whether a wound is getting better or worse, whether the current care is working, or when it is time to seek professional help,” Ms Yu said.

“Family caregivers take on a great deal of responsibility, often with limited preparation or training for the complex decisions they have to make.”

Among the most common types of chronic wounds are diabetic foot ulcers and pressure injuries, also commonly known as bedsores – both of which can carry a risk of serious complications, including infection.

Research has indicated that 50-60 per cent of diabetic foot ulcers become infected, and, if infection progresses, it can spread to deeper tissues and bone and, in severe cases, lead to amputation or death.

Ms Yu said these risks put immense pressure on family caregivers.

“Caregivers often have to balance the patient’s condition, advice from different healthcare professionals, family responsibilities, financial pressures and their own emotions,” she said.

“They are constantly asking themselves, ‘am I doing the right thing?’”

Her review found that digital tools were increasingly being used to support wound management, patient education and remote consultation at home. However, of the 35 studies included in the review, only two specifically addressed shared decision-making in home-based wound care .

Ms Yu said this research laid the foundation of her PhD, where she, alongside supervisors Dr Melanie Murray, Professor Vicki Cope, and Dr Ruth Wei, is developing a practical, evidence-based decision-making support tool.

“This review highlighted an important gap in decision support for home-based wound care. My PhD has since explored how family caregivers make these everyday care decisions and what kind of support they need,” she said.

“Rather than simply providing more information, my goal is to develop a support tool that helps families make informed decisions with greater confidence while working in partnership with healthcare professionals.”

Ms Yu began her nursing career in a burns unit before moving into chronic wound management, an experience that showed her the importance of continuity between professional healthcare and care provided at home.

“Today as the populations continue to age and more healthcare is delivered in the community, families are taking on increasingly important roles caring for people with chronic wounds,” she said.

“Supporting family caregivers has never been more important.”