La communauté de pratique francophone vise à facilité l'accessibilité et le partage d'informations professionnelles parmi les membres des ISPSCC partout au Canada, dans le but de favoriser la prise en charge des patients issus de la minorité francophone partout au pays.

The NSWOCC French Community of Practice works to improve access to and sharing of professional information among members who speak French, with a focus on enhancing care for Francophone patients. This includes translating key documents like Best Practice Recommendations, Patient Teaching Guides, and Decision Aids, supporting the translation of the NSWOCC and WOC Institute websites, and collaborating with Francophone associations to expand the NSWOC role in Québec. If you would like to join the Community of Practice, please email office@nswoc.ca.

This core program focuses on supporting NSWOCs and SWANs in advocating for their roles, advancing specialized wound, ostomy, and continence care, collaborating with external aligned organizations for better wound, ostomy and continence reimbursement for patients, and organizing Wound, Ostomy, and Continence Summits.

The Community Engagement Core Program equips members with resources, documentation, and strategies to address issues affecting their role and clinical practice. This includes positioning their role for value at local, regional, and national levels. For advocacy support contact the Board at office@nswoc.ca.

The Harm Reduction Community of Practice, launched by NSWOCC in fall 2023, addresses the needs of underrepresented populations dealing with wound, ostomy, and continence issues. Harm reduction focuses on minimizing the negative health, social, and legal impacts associated with marginalized populations and substance use through policies, programs, and practices. Grounded in justice and human rights, it promotes positive change by working with people without judgment, coercion, or discrimination, and without requiring them to stop using drugs to receive support.

This approach can and should be integrated into NSWOC practice to build shared value and strengthen our community.

The group has grown to over 90 members, with three meetings held to date. Key activities include developing the Canadian Best Practice Recommendations in Wound Care for People Who Use Drugs (to be launched in April 2025), creating a First Aid Kit Supply List for shelters, and compiling cost-efficient care tips. The Community also maintains a Resource Library for harm reduction-focused wound, ostomy, and continence care research.

If you would like to join the Community of Practice, please email office@nswoc.ca.

The Indigenous Wound, Ostomy, and Continence Health Core Program is dedicated to improving care for Indigenous communities by addressing access to NSWOCs, SWANs, and essential medical supplies. The Core Program collaborates on many key projects, such as developing sensor socks for diabetic foot care in partnership with the University of Toronto’s KITE Research Center.

The team has also successfully advocated for coverage of disposable negative pressure wound therapy (NPWT) through Non-Insured Health Benefits (NIHB). Additionally, they support scholarships for Indigenous NSWOC and SWAN students and regularly contribute to the Sharing Circle website (www.sharingcircle.online) to share resources. At the NSWOCC National Conference, they continue to incorporate Indigenous culture into the planning, awards & recognition, and presentations.

If you would like to join the Core Program, please email office@nswoc.ca.

The NSWOCC Membership Core Program focuses on enhancing the member experience by fostering engagement, advancing professional development, and promoting collaboration across Canada. The program's priorities include offering continuing education, improving communication between the Board of Directors and members, and supporting networking opportunities.

Key achievements include growing membership to over 1,100 members, launching the quarterly newsletter "The Integrity/L’Intègre", expanding the popular NSWOCC Members Journal Club, and hosting webinars and podcasts on topics like preceptorship and collaboration. The program also plans to introduce new member incentives, a merchandise boutique, and a member award at the National Conference.

Members are encouraged to get involved by submitting photos, joining webinars, and joining the NSWOCC Members Journal Club.

If you would like to join the Core Program, please email office@nswoc.ca.

The NSWOCC National Conference Planning Core Program is a dedicated group of 10 volunteers responsible for organizing the annual NSWOCC National Conference, which includes a continuing education program in wound, ostomy and continence. Their goal is to highlight NSWOCs and SWANs as leaders in wound, ostomy, and continence care while providing opportunities for networking and professional growth. Each year, members are invited to submit oral and poster abstract presentations.

The NSWOCC Paediatric Community of Practice focuses on guiding key initiatives related to paediatric wound, ostomy, and continence care. This group connects NSWOCs with an interest or expertise in paediatric care, providing valuable feedback to the NSWOCC Board of Directors and aligning their efforts with the organization's strategic goals.

Key highlights include the completion of the “Paediatric Incontinence-Associated Dermatitis: Canadian Best Practice Recommendations,” which was presented at the 2023 NSWOCC National Conference and shared with NSWOCs across Canada. The group continues to advance paediatric care through webinars, partnerships, and ongoing strategic projects.

If you would like to join the Community of Practice, please email office@nswoc.ca.

The NSWOCC Professional Development Core Program focuses on advancing professional growth and maintaining high standards in NSWOC practice. The program encompasses several key areas, including National Standards of Practice, Professional Growth, Certification, Position Papers, and Best Practice Recommendations. The Core Program also continues to engage with members through calls for volunteers and opportunities to participate in future projects. For more information or to get involved, members are encouraged to contact office@nswoc.ca.

The NSWOCC Publications Core Program is dedicated to advancing the dissemination of knowledge in the fields of wound, ostomy, and continence care through publication opportunities. This program facilitates the submission and review of articles for the JWOCN (Journal of Wound, Ostomy, and Continence Nursing) and NSWOC Advance, ensuring high-quality content that contributes to the body of knowledge in these specialties.

Key activities include managing peer review processes, supporting manuscript submissions, and promoting industry and member contributions. The program also oversees the introduction of innovative for streamlined manuscript management and fosters collaboration with French-speaking colleagues and international publications.

Highlights of recent achievements include successful publication timelines with the JWOCN, ongoing expansion of the NSWOC Advance with peer-reviewed manuscripts, and special initiatives such as the Yearly Manuscript Award. The program also hosts workshops to enhance manuscript development and encourages members to contribute their research and case studies.

For those interested in publishing or becoming involved, the Core Program invites participation and collaboration to further the advancement of clinical practice and research. Email nswocadvance@nswoc.ca for more information.

The NSWOCC Research and Practice Core Program is dedicated to advancing evidence-based practice and supporting research in wound, ostomy, and continence care. The program focuses on developing Best Practice Recommendations, conducting comprehensive literature searches, and identifying key research opportunities.

Core activities include:

• Research Development: Leading and supporting various research initiatives and projects to enhance clinical practice and patient outcomes.

• Best Practice Recommendations: Creating and updating evidence-based best practice recommendations to inform and improve practice standards.

The NSWOCC SWAN Community of Practice is dedicated to advancing the role of Skin Wellness Associate Nurses (SWANs) within wound, ostomy, and continence care teams. This community works to support and grow the SWAN role through a variety of initiatives, including educational events, networking opportunities, and advocacy efforts.

Since 2023, the SWAN Community of Practice, in collaboration with the Membership Core Program, has organized SWAN Week annually during the third week of September. This week-long event is dedicated to celebrating and uplifting SWANs, emphasizing their vital role within the Wound, Ostomy, and Continence (WOC) team.

Throughout the year, the community continues its efforts by hosting regular meetings and information sessions, involving SWANs in workshops and sessions at the National Conference, and developing and sharing the SWAN role description to bolster advocacy efforts across Canada. Additionally, the community writes letters to promote the SWAN role in various healthcare settings and focuses on developing SWAN voices and leadership. This includes enhancing peer-to-peer support and advocating for the SWAN role in long-term care, community care, and acute care environments.

If you would like to join the Community of Practice, please email office@nswoc.ca.