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WOUND CARE

and available, the document from this centre might be a resource for future directions of this

project. These findings were presented to the expert consultants in Phase IV in an executive

summary (See Appendix F) for their input.

Phase IV: Consensus-Building for Recommendations

In situations such as the current study where there is a lack of evidence—whether

generated empirically or synthesized from the literature—and where best practice is yet to be

established, clinical expertise and professional opinion play a critically important role in health

care decision-making (Pearson, Field, & Jordan, 2007, p. 105). A final phase of consensus-

building with clinical experts was initiated “to be inclusive of multiple disciplines and

perspectives” [and] “ensure that evidence includes science based knowledge as well as

practitioner based wisdom” (Weeks et al., 2013, p. e.290). Radiating through dressings may be

an innovative practice and it is hoped that the thesis will serve as foundation for a national

standard. Toward this end, five experts were consulted in Phase IV.

An executive summary based on the mixed method analysis of data gathered from

previous phases was presented to experts in the area of oncology radiotherapy and wound care

management (See Appendix F). Table 4.14 represents information regarding the panel of

experts who participated in Phase IV of the study. Four of the five agreed to be named.