New Survey Finds 87% of Patients with Long-Term Health Conditions Face Stigma; Nurses Feel they Lack Time and Rresources to Provide Adequate Support
PR96000
BRIDGEWATER, N.J, May 18, 2022 /PRNewswire=KYODO JBN/--
--Research explores the "care gap" as well as physical, emotional and social
challenges faced by those with long-term health conditions, such as living with
a stoma or wound, managing diabetes, urinary retention, cancer and more
--Global medical solutions and technology company Convatec is committed to
making positive change for patients and healthcare providers through new
'forever caring' promise
According to new research, patients with long-term health conditions face
stigma, among a variety of other emotional challenges associated with their
health condition. At the same time, survey results indicate that their care
teams, particularly nurses, feel unable to provide adequate support due to lack
of time and resources. The survey, which was conducted by Wakefield Research
and supported by Convatec (
), included responses from 200 patients or their caregivers and 200 nurses in
the U.S..¹
Logo -
Challenges facing patients
The survey found that 87% of patients or their caregivers feel some level of
stigma associated with their or the person in their care's current health
condition. Nearly half (44%) reported feeling embarrassed to talk about their
current health condition, while 43% felt their health condition isn't something
that's regularly talked about and is rarely represented in the media.
Almost all (99%) patients and their caregivers say that stigma can negatively
impact or slow perceived healing of a patient with a current health condition
-- and 96% of nurses agree that a patient's physical healing can be impacted by
stigma.
"We already know that the impact of stigma on our patients cannot be
understated," said Karim Bitar, CEO, Convatec. "These survey results
demonstrate why emotional and mental health is a societal health priority
today. We need to do more, as an industry, to help prevent stigma among these
patients - by showcasing stories and experiences of how our patients live
confidently, by providing peer-to-peer support, and by making conversations
easier between friends, family and care teams."
While emotional support comes in many forms, a patient's medical team plays an
important role, with more than half (56%) of patients reporting that they would
like more time with their medical team to feel better supported. Almost all
(96%) patients and caregivers would like more information about their health
condition -- with 53% reporting that they would prefer that information come
through conversations with their medical team.
Challenges facing nurses: The care gap
As patients ache for support and in the wake of the pandemic when healthcare
professionals feel more overwhelmed and strained than ever, the survey found
that more than 2 in 3 nurses (68%) feel they are unable to fully support their
patients -- and almost all (96%) agree that they need more time, resources and
education to fully care for them. According to the survey:
-- 71% of nurses need more time to spend with their patients
-- 56% feel they need more time to be able to devote to learning and
education
-- 51% feel they are currently lacking the resources they need to share
directly with patients to care for them most effectively
Additionally, while most nurses (82%) feel completely or mostly comfortable
speaking with their patients about challenges related to their current health
conditions, 60% say they are less than completely comfortable. Of those who are
less than completely comfortable, 47% say it's because they lack the quality
time to do so.
'Forever caring': A commitment to close the care gap
Convatec, a global medical solutions and technologies company, today announced
a new promise and identity, 'forever caring,' which reflects the company's
ongoing transformation to become a more care-centric, agile, and accountable
organization.
"We're listening -- and most importantly, we're learning," Karim Bitar added.
"In what has historically been a very product-focused industry, 'forever
caring' is a commitment to the people we serve - and these very patients,
caregivers and nurses who participated in this survey. As we continue to bring
to life our vision of pioneering trusted medical solutions to improve the lives
we touch, we know that the needs of our patients and healthcare providers
continue to change, and we must change with them."
As part of this new promise, Convatec commits to strengthening support for
patients who are facing challenging issues associated with their health
condition by expanding support programs such as me+, which provides educational
and guided recovery tools, tips, and peer-to-peer-support to those living with
long-term health conditions.
Convatec is also dedicated to working hand-in-glove with patients, caregivers
and healthcare professionals to help prevent stigma. Convatec recently launched
its first "Healthy Bonds" campaign, which celebrates, supports and empowers
people in the ostomy community, who often face stigma, by sharing stories of
how they are embracing life with an ostomy.
At the same time, Convatec is steadfast in its commitment to lifting the burden
from healthcare providers by providing educational resources and added
assistance through programs like Convatec Academy of Professional Education,
which is dedicated to supporting the ongoing education and training of
healthcare professionals. The program has already engaged with more than
300,000 healthcare professionals globally in the past year.
Convatec also realizes that the time of nurses and healthcare professionals is
valuable. To lift the burden off healthcare providers, Convatec launched a new
nurse solutions app (
) which makes it easier for them to select and recommend the best ostomy
products for their patients, while also providing patients with a convenient
one-stop-shop to fulfill their prescriptions, find advice and schedule a
consultation with a nurse.
Since 1964, Convatec has long supported patients with needs for the management
of long-term health conditions, with leading market positions in advanced wound
care, ostomy and infusion care. 'Forever caring' represents a new and exciting
stage of Convatec's history, as well as a promise to help give patients and
healthcare providers the support they need.
About the Survey
The Convatec Nurses Survey was conducted by Wakefield Research among 200 U.S.
nurses treating patients for wound care, continence care, stoma care, infusion
therapy, between April 5th and April 17th, 2022. This survey is weighted to
ensure accurate representation of U.S. nurses.
The Convatec Patients and Caregivers Survey was conducted by Wakefield Research
among 200 patients (or their caregivers) receiving wound care, continence care,
or stoma care, infusion therapy, or their caregivers, between April 5th and
April 17th, 2022, using an email invitation and an online survey.
Convatec Group Plc
Pioneering trusted medical solutions to improve the lives we touch: Convatec is
a FTSE 250 global medical products and technologies company, focussed on
solutions for the management of chronic conditions, with leading positions in
advanced wound care, ostomy care, continence and critical care, and infusion
care. Group revenues in 2021 were over $2 billion. With around 10,000
colleagues, we provide our products and services in over 100 countries, united
by a promise to be forever caring. Our products provide a range of benefits,
from infection prevention and protection of at-risk skin, to improved patient
outcomes and reduced care costs. To learn more about Convatec, please visit:
1Patients receiving wound care, continence care, or stoma care, infusion
therapy, or their caregivers, and nurses treating patients for wound care,
continence care, stoma care, or infusion therapy. U.S. only.
AP-50000-GBL-ENG
SOURCE: Convatec Group Plc
CONTACT: Ellen Presutti, ellen.presutti@redhavas.com, Phone: +1-412-862-1915
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