Alireza Salmani - Master of Nursing. Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
Hajar Sadeghi - Ph.D. Candidate in Nursing, University of Social welfare and Rehabilitation, Tehran. Iran

Background: Nurses do not have sufficient competence in chronic wounds in the elderly. While specialized wound care is one of the professional duties of nurses. The purpose of this study is to identify the barriers and facilitators of the competence of nurses providing chronic wound care. methods: To collect data, a focused group interview was used(N=۲۲). Participants included general nurses, wound specialists, nursing Instructor and physicians. Data analysis was done through two-step inductive comparative content analysis.Result: Nurses need to acquire competence in evaluation, recognition of the type of wound, treatment planning and follow-up. Educational, managerial, elderly and economic factors were among the important obstacles. Professional values and commitment to increase the quality of care were the facilitators. conclusion: Elderly people with chronic wounds need specialized nursing care. Effective training of nurses on chronic wound care can increase their competence.

Nursing. Wound care, competence, Elderly