EWMA Patient Voices Initiative
Your Voice Matters!
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EWMA Patient Voices is an initiative dedicated to ensuring that people with lived experience of wounds are recognised as true partners in shaping the future of wound care. As part of EWMA’s commitment to an inclusive and patient‑centred approach, the Patient Voices Initiative brings the perspectives, needs, and experiences of patients directly into EWMA’s projects, resources, and advocacy work.
Through a structured Patient Panel developed by the EWMA Patient Liaison Group, the Patient Voices Initiative supports ethical and meaningful patient involvement, strengthens patient empowerment, and complements the expertise of healthcare professionals. By including the patient perspective, EWMA also enhances dialogue with local, national, and international decision‑makers, helping to inform policy development and promote high‑quality wound prevention, management, and care.
The EWMA Patient Liaison Group
Evelien Touriany
My name is Evelien, I am a nurse, and for more than twenty years I have been taking care of people with wounds. I have learned how important it is not only to listen to the experiences of patients living with a wound, but also to actively involve them. Wound care is more than a clinical process; it affects people’s daily lives, emotions, and expectations. Engaging patients as partners in their care helps us better understand what truly matters to them and to adapt to their individual needs. I am pleased to be involved in this initiative, as it creates a valuable opportunity to ensure that patients’ voices are represented within the organisation and reflected in its projects.
Joan-Enric Torra Bou
My name is Joan-Enric. I am a nurse, originally from the community care sector, specialising in skin integrity, advanced wound care and patient safety, who has spent more than 30 years dedicated to the fascinating field of caring for people with wounds—one of the most important aspects of nursing care, across all levels of care and at every stage of life. I am fully convinced that the perspective and voice of patients is a crucial aspect of caring for people with wounds
Tania Santos
My name is Tânia, and in my work with people who have wounds, I’ve come to realize how important it is to understand their perspective and expectations and to manage their care in partnership with them. Putting ourselves in someone else’s shoes is difficult if we haven’t been there ourselves… and even then, everyone experiences it differently. That’s why this work holds a special interest for me. Listening to the voices of those who are going through or have gone through a process as complex as healing a wound is a unique opportunity to improve.
Damien Pastor
My name is Damien, and I am a dermatologist specialising in chronic and complex wounds. I see every day that wounds affect far more than the skin and can deeply impact a person’s life.
Listening to patients’ experiences and priorities is essential to providing meaningful care. Through the EWMA Patient Voice Initiative, I hope to help integrate patients’ voices into care, education, and research, because better listening leads to better care.
Guido Ciprandi
My name is Guido, and I am a paediatric and plastic surgeon. I dedicate my work mainly to children and their families, from whom I have had the privilege of learning so much over the years. They have taught me the importance of listening—of gently trying to understand their needs, their concerns, as well as their wishes and their hopes. Even when a patient cannot speak, they still communicate through their eyes, their expressions, and their gestures. It is especially important to be attentive to those who do not have a voice, yet quietly express their discomfort. Our role is not only technical; it is, above all, a way of truly listening—of allowing space for expression, of accompanying with care those living with complex wounds, and of treating each person in their wholeness, with respect for their individual needs. Giving a voice to our patients means walking alongside them in their journey, helping to make it a little less difficult and a little less painful, through understanding, presence, and shared humanity.
FAQ
What is the EWMA Patient Voices Initiative?
EWMA Patient Voices is an initiative dedicated to ensuring that people with lived experience of wounds are recognised as true partners in shaping the future of wound care. By sharing their experiences, recommendations, and wishes, patients contribute directly to improving care, education, and decision-making within the field.
Why are patient voices important?
People who live or have lived with a condition understand its impact more deeply than anyone else. Their experiences reveal what truly works in daily life, where gaps in care exist, and how services can be improved.
When patients are actively involved in shaping care, policy, and education, the result is more relevant, effective, and compassionate healthcare. Involving patients leads to better outcomes and stronger trust in healthcare systems.
Who can join?
The initiative is open to individuals living in a European country who:
- Have a wound, have had a wound in the past, or are at risk of developing one
- Are motivated to share their experiences and perspectives
- Are interested in contributing to improving wound care
What will I be asked to do as a member?
As a member, you may be invited to:
- Participate in working groups or committees
- Review educational materials for healthcare professionals and patients
- Share your experiences in discussions, projects, or advocacy work
Participation is flexible. You can decide your level of involvement and are always free to decline invitations to participate in specific activities.
Is participation voluntary, and are there any costs or payments involved?
Participation in the EWMA Patient Voices Initiative is entirely voluntary, and there is no fee to become a member.
Members are not paid for their participation in the Patient Panel. However, depending on the activity, EWMA may cover or reimburse certain reasonable expenses, such as travel or conference attendance, in line with applicable policies. Further details will be provided when relevant.
What are the benefits of joining the initiative?
By joining, you will:
- Contribute to shaping the future of wound care
- Help raise awareness of patient experiences
- Support more patient-centred healthcare and decision-making
- Ensure that the patient perspective is reflected in policies and educational resources
How to become a member?
You can apply by completing the EWMA Patient Voices Application Form, available here or on the website in both printable and online versions.
Once submitted, your application will be reviewed, and you will be contacted with further information.
Who can I contact if I have questions or concerns?
If you have any questions or would like more information, please contact the EWMA Secretariat at:
so@ewma.org