About us
Grupo Associativo de Investigação em Feridas (GAIF) is one of two Portuguese woundcare groups. Its headquarters are in the village of Pampilhosa da Serra in the centre of Portugal. It was founded in 2002 and, in the seven years since its foundation, it has recruited more than 1000 associates, comprising nurses, physicians, pharmacists, podiatrists and other healthcare providers. The main activities are research and dissemination of knowledge through conferences and workships, as well the organisation of thematic courses for specific healthcare groups. It is keen to establish meaningful partnerships with organisations and individuals who wish to promote wound management as a clinical specialty. GAIF is a member of the European Wound Management Association.

Main goals
GAIF's main goals are to educate all healthcare professionals in wound care, improve the care of patients with chronic wounds and to increase research in wound care. So far, we have been successful.

Main events
GAIF's two main events are an annual conference in May (usually attracting around 1300 delegates) and a wound school held in September (for 30 healthcare professionals). Other activities in the education field are partnerships with nursing schools and teaching on postgraduate courses in wound care.

Research
Research projects have focused on the quality of life of patients with pressure ulcers, validation of several tools on wound care, the prevalence and incidence of leg ulcers in the Portuguese population and many others. For further information on current research activities and goals, click here.

GAIF has established links with a nursing journal and is able to publish a supplement every three months using original articles from researches within GAIF or from our partners. All articles are also published on the GAIF website.

GAIF is continuing to grow in numbers and strength and we invite you to join us via our website: http://www.gaif.net

João Carlos Ferreira Gouveia
GAIF President