Background: Wound care is a significant financial burden in healthcare and the cost of wound dressings are reported as explicit expenditures. However, there are many financial aspects associated with wound dressings that are less understood, but play an important role in understanding how to manage the wound care burden. Aim: This study explored the real-world costs of wound dressings for the management of acute and chronic wounds. Methods: A round table discussion with 6 healthcare professionals with expertise in wound care was undertaken. Results: Thematic analysis identified four main themes (supported by eight sub-themes); holistic wound management; wound dressing expenditure; specialists and generalists in wound care; and patient factors. Discussion: The real-world cost of managing wounds encompasses a variety of factors that are frequently underrepresented. A holistic approach is essential for patient health and wellbeing and managing patient expectations of wound healing. While wound dressing costs should be considered, the focus should be on choosing the right product for each patient. Simplifying the number of products available to clinicians is an important aspect of supporting individuals to treat and manage patients in their care.
