EXTENSION PRACTICES IN AN ACADEMIC LEAGUE OF CHRONIC CONDITIONS AND WOUNDS: EXPERIENCES AND LEARNINGS IN INJURY CARE

Abstract

A holistic approach to people with chronic conditions and wounds is vital in light of the aging population. In undergraduate nursing programs, students must be trained through teaching, research, and outreach to serve this specific population. This study reports experiences and learning in wound care, through outreach practices carried out by members and collaborators of the Academic League for Studies on Chronic Health Conditions and Wounds. The activities were carried out in virtual and in-person settings, at the Hospital das Clínicas of the University of São Paulo in Ribeirão Preto, between November 2022 and February 2025. The activities were recorded on a YouTube and Instagram channel; and the services provided to the population were recorded in Excel and a field diary. The outreach permeated the acquisition of theoretical and practical knowledge, through lectures, mini-courses, and clinical cases, in addition to working with the multidisciplinary team at the hospital, contributing to a holistic understanding of the complexity of wound treatment and consolidation of theory. There was an opportunity to acquire procedural skills, such as performing the Ankle-Brachial Index, assessing plantar protective sensitivity, cleaning the bed and clinical assessment of wounds. The experience has positive impacts on the professional and personal development of future nurses.