INNOVATING CHRONIC WOUND
TREATMENT

INTERVIEW- Alexandra Marques (EWMA)

  1. What are your specific tasks in the FORCE REPAIR team at EWMA? Our tasks revolve around dissemination and communication activities. Communication efforts span across our multiple platforms such as the annual EWMA conference, social media channels, and our newsletter. Moreover, we contribute to the Communication Committee to enhance project outreach and engagement. Our network of wound care professionals will be used to understand the priorities and needs of health care professionals and patients so that FORCE REPAIR reflects the needs of various communities.

  2. Can you explain the scope of work of EWMA and how do you reach your objectives and goals? EWMA’s mission is to bring together key stakeholders in wound care, facilitating the implementation of cost-effective approaches on all aspects of wound management. Within this framework, and in alignment with my objectives, EWMA envision to accelerate transnational research and to support the identification of unmet clinical needs and link basic/applied research and clinical practice, therefore fostering the development of new technologies and better therapeutic options.

  3. Could you please share your thoughts on what you believe are the major challenges facing wound care today? Wound care is facing several challenges spanning different areas, ranging from improvement of clinical practice, healthcare accessibility and use of resources, to strengthening education and enhancing healing outcomes. These are related to organizational requirements and the existing gap among the key intervenient (healthcare professionals, patients, caregivers, researchers, regulatory entities, industry, policy makers) that ultimately hinder the advance of innovative ideas for new technologies and products.

  4. Is this your first experience working on an EU-funded project? What is your opinion about this programme? No, I have had previous experience as partner or coordinator of EU-funded projects. As an academic researcher I believe this programme is key to advance the European Research and Innovation Eco-system, including in the field of wound care. By fostering the collaboration between key stakeholders such as academics, healthcare institutions, industry, and organizations such as EWMA, this programme potentiates the development and translation of technologies/therapies with increasing efficacy.