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This book has been written with the novice in mind, as wound management has become a highly specialised and fascinating field over the past 15 years. This has caused much confusion for practitioners who, in the past, have viewed it as simple ' dressing changes' . It is presented as a compact reference suitable for qualified and unqualified health care workers alike. Firstly, the book aims to positively assist students of healthcare to appreciate the complexity of this vast and growing subject, so that they benefit from a clear presentation of current evidence-based knowledge and become confident enough to apply their new knowledge in practice; secondly, it may be used by qualified practitioners to consolidate their knowledge and so enhance their practice. This is a specialised practice area that transcends all patient groups, specialties and care settings. By working through the content of the book, it is important that the reader develops an understanding of the origins of wound management and how modern wound technology has evolved to reflect those origins. In summary, this book aims to provide a range of health care practitioners with a basic set of tools for starting to personally experience and enjoy the provision of high quality wound management.