Forever Caring

Living with a condition, no matter how long or short it may be is a journey. One that will be different for everyone, with its own ups and downs, good days, and not so good days that at times can feel daunting, but at others inspiring. And even if it feels life-changing, we believe it never needs to be you changing.

That you should keep loving yourself and who you are. That's why we're committed to you and the journey that you're on. It's why we partner with healthcare professionals and listen to what patients want so we can really care and support you through every step even if the tough days mean you can't get out of bed for the good days when you can feel more like you again, when you can relax at the movies with a discreet catheter that's easy to use, when you can get on with your day with the reassurance of waterproof wound dressings, when you can feel confident at the beach with an ostomy bag that feels like it's part of you, and when you can spend all day outside, knowing your infusion set has you covered.

These moments are why we're committed to you. It's why we've been innovating new ways to care, bringing together convalescence and technology to bring you new and improved products. It's why we continue looking for smarter and more sustainable solutions, so you can look towards a brighter future where you can do more of what you love and find comfort in knowing that if your condition isn't going anywhere soon, then neither are we.

Convatec, forever caring.

How stigma hinders healing and care

“In what has historically been a very product-focused industry, ‘forever caring’ is a commitment to the people we serve – and these very patients, caregivers and nurses who participated in this survey. As we continue to bring to life our vision of pioneering trusted medical solutions to improve the lives we touch, we know that the needs of our patients and healthcare providers continue to
change, and we must change with them.”

—Karim Bitar, Chief Executive Officer, Convatec

Where to turn for support?

Only 25% of patients report receiving the most emotional support from their caregiver when
compared with emotional support provided by friends or family (70%), medical teams (44%), and advocacy groups or online forums (34%).

In addition:
While 82% of patients feel informed enough about their condition, the majority (96%) of patients and caregivers surveyed would still like to receive more information about their or the person in their care’s current health condition in varying forms, including:

56% of patients would like more time with their medical team
45% would like better dialogue and/or to communicate more openly with their medical team
39% would like the opportunity to talk with more patients with the same health condition

Communication breakdown: 60% of nurses feel less than completely comfortable talking to their patients about the everyday challenges related to their health condition. Of those who are less than completely comfortable, 47% say it’s because they lack the quality time to do so.

Combatting stigma with information …

While 82% of patients feel informed enough about their condition, the majority (96%) of patients and caregivers surveyed would still like to receive more information about their or the person in their care’s current health condition in varying forms, including: 53% Through conversations with the medical team 48% Brochures and educational resources provided by the medical team 48% An online resource that addresses all questions and concerns 41% Advocacy groups

99% of patients and their caregivers say that stigma can negatively impact or slow the perceived healing of a patient with a current health condition — and 96% of nurses agree that a patient’s physical healing can be impacted by stigma.

What happens when caregivers lack time and resources?

Almost all (96%) nurses feel they need more to fully care for and support their patients living with current health conditions, while almost half (47%) say that they lack the quality time to do so. Greater access to resources is also needed for better patient care and support. 55% say that lack of information and education prevents patients from getting the best possible care available, 51% of nurses feel they are lacking resources to share directly with patients, 46% would like more education about their patient’s current health conditions.

Forever Caring

“In what has historically been a very product-focused industry, ‘forever caring’ is a commitment to the people we serve – and these very patients, caregivers and nurses who participated in this survey. As we continue to bring to life our vision of pioneering trusted medical solutions to improve the lives we touch, we know that the needs of our patients and healthcare providers continue to change, and we must change with them.” —Karim Bitar, Chief Executive Officer, Convatec

… Stigma takes over.

While the two things patients would like to receive more of are the two things that their nurses report they are especially lacking, they both agreed on what is impacting healing and care most negatively: stigma. The majority (87%) of patients or their caregivers feel some level of stigma associated with their or the person in their care’s current health condition.

• ·       44% feel embarrassed to talk about it
• ·       43% feel the health condition is rarely talked about and is rarely represented in the media
• ·       43% feel they can’t go places they used to be able to enjoy
• ·       42% believe people are ignorant of their condition and don’t understand it

At Convatec, we recognize that no matter what medical challenge patients are facing, everyone is on a journey and everyone’s journey is different.

That’s why we’re committed to forever caring for our patients, their caregivers and the healthcare professionals who care for them — it’s our promise to giving patients and healthcare providers the support they need. For more information about Convatec, visit www.convatec.com.

About the survey: The Convatec Patients and Caregivers Survey, conducted by Wakefield Research in the U.S. and commissioned by Convatec, was fielded between April 5 – 17, 2022, using an email invitation and an online survey. It reflects the responses of 200 patients or their caregivers and 200 nurses. Those surveyed were patients receiving wound care, continence care, stoma care or infusion therapy; their caregivers; and nurses treating patients for wound care, continence care, stoma care or infusion therapy.

© 2022 Convatec AP – 50004