The Impact of AI-Integrated Smart Dressings for Adaptive Management of Chronic Leg Ulcers: A Survey-Based Study of Healthcare Professionals
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Chronic leg ulcers (CLUs) represent a persistent and resource-intensive challenge in healthcare, often characterised by prolonged healing times, high relapse rates, and significant impacts on patient quality of life and healthcare expenditure. Conventional wound care methods are frequently limited by their reactive nature, highlighting the need for more adaptive and data-driven solutions. Recent innovations in AI-integrated smart dressings, equipped with biosensors and wireless data transmission, offer the potential to transform wound management by enabling real-time monitoring of wound biomarkers, personalised therapeutic release, and clinician-informed interventions. This study employs a survey-based approach to examine healthcare professionals’ perceptions, adoption patterns, and experiences with AI-enabled dressings in managing CLUs. Participants included wound care nurses, dermatologists, vascular surgeons, and general physicians. The findings indicate strong professional optimism regarding the clinical benefits of these technologies, with perceived improvements in wound healing, patient comfort, and quality of care. However, significant barriers remain, including costs, training needs, and integration challenges within existing clinical pathways. Despite these limitations, enablers such as enhanced patient outcomes, time efficiency, and growing technological acceptance were identified as driving forces for adoption. The research contributes to understanding how innovative digital health solutions are viewed within frontline clinical practice, bridging the gap between technological development and real-world implementation. The study underscores the importance of addressing systemic barriers, enhancing training, and developing supportive policy frameworks. Ultimately, AIintegrated smart dressings hold considerable promise to reshape chronic wound management, improving patient outcomes and healthcare system efficiency.
