Most education for healthcare professionals in hospitals occurs in silos – meaning that the nurses teach nurses, physicians teach physicians and other healthcare professionals also learn in similar educational silos. We picked a subject that was important to for the quality of care in our facility and created a teaching tool – a didactic lesson with interactive questions to teach to a variety of healthcare professionals and students. By teaching the same information, the healthcare professionals in different groups could feel confident in what their colleagues were learning. Our hope is that this tool could be used in other facilities, led by different health care professionals and used with different topics. This approach could be time and cost efficient.

Objective: The aim of this study was to identify the number of skin tears present at our facility and evaluate a multidisciplinary educational intervention to support treatment of skin tears.
Methods: The prevalence of skin tears was determined from an analysis of a wound audit dataset at [redacted for peer review] and compared with the literature to inform the aims of the educational intervention. An educational module was developed and presented to physicians and students at separate in-person sessions, and to clinical care staff at a virtual session. Participants completed an evaluation survey after the education sessions to assess their knowledge and confidence with skin tears management and obtain their feedback about the session.
Results: The prevalence of skin tears at [redacted for peer review] was 5.6%, which was low compared to other studies reviewed (n=10 studies, median=8.8%, range 3.0-22.1%). Seven physicians, twelve students and seven clinical care staff completed the evaluation survey. 100% of physicians, 43% of students and 57% of clinical care staff could classify an image of a skin tear; 86% of physicians, 33% of students and 43% of clinical care staff identified the correct skin tear complications; 71% of physicians, 0% of the students, and 29% of clinical care staff selected the appropriate dressing. Participants reported moderate to considerable increases in knowledge and confidence in skin tear management.
Conclusion: This method of multidisciplinary teaching on skin tears was well received and found to be useful in enhancing knowledge and confidence in identifying and treating skin tears.

Ott C, Brinton C, Yogaparan T, Dayal T, Vecchio A, Berall A. Skin Tear Management. Advances in Skin and Wound Care. Impact Factor 2.373. Accepted for publication March, 2023. Publication should take place January, 2024.