Health carers' views on the introduction of biosurgery in a local surgical setting

Abstract

Maggot debridement therapy (MDT) is the medical use of live maggots (fly larvae) for treating non-healing wounds. The aim of this descriptive study was to determine the level of knowledge that nurses' and junior doctors' currently possess on MDT, to establish the level of interest and need expressed in undergoing further biosurgery education and to gain an insight into their perceptions and experiences of larval therapy. Since this topic has never been studied locally, an exploratory approach was adopted. Qualitative data was collected through questionnaires administered to a stratified random sample of 15 nurses and 15 junior doctors, representative of all health care staff working in the local surgical setting. The findings suggested that the majority of health carers are knowledgeable about what maggot therapy entails, the fly biology, which type of wounds are eligible for MDT and also the benefits brought about to the healing process. Additionally, health carers are aware of the potential risks and complications associated with MDT and the actions that are deemed necessary when such problems arise. Furthermore, more than two thirds of respondents believe that maggot therapy is a practical alternative to other forms of wound healing remedies and they would encourage a patient to consent for treatment. Nevertheless, there were 54% (9 nurses and 7 junior doctors) of the respondents, who are repelled by the larvae and would not participate in delivering MDT. Education, training and experience seemed to be essential for the health carers to be able to deliver adequate education to the patients and a high level of care. However, the findings supported the well-documented trend, that the majority of the health care staff does not receive any form of education regarding MDT. Local health carers' rate their current knowledge as being inadequate and incomplete. This is more worrying when one considers that these same respondents admitted that they have practised biosurgery at least once. In view of these findings, suggestions and recommendations for further research, practice and education have been made.