This topic is about a seasoned wound, ostomy, and continence nurse who has joined an online forum to share and learn from global ostomy care experiences. With 17 years of experience in this specialized field and 31 years as a registered nurse, she appreciates the honesty and practical advice shared in the forum. She has already discovered new products, like inside pouch liners, that she hadn't encountered before.

Here are some key points and insights she shared:

1. Despite managing 6 to 12 new ostomy patients each month and having seen thousands of stomas, she still encounters new and unusual issues.

2. Since product availability and surgical methods vary worldwide, she advises that online answers should be general. For specific concerns, she often recommends consulting with a local physician or ostomy nurse.

3. She encourages every ostomate to connect with an ET (Enterostomal Therapy) or ostomy nurse, as many doctors may not have extensive experience with ostomies.

4. She plans to visit the forum periodically to both contribute her knowledge and learn from the experiences of patients.

Additional insights and questions she raised include:

- She is based in the USA, where the estimated ostomy population is about 1 million out of roughly 300 million people, though she is unsure how these statistics are compiled.

- She is curious about worldwide ostomy statistics and would appreciate any information on this.

- She emphasizes that even experienced ET nurses haven't "seen it all" and enjoys the ongoing problem-solving aspect of her work.

- She notes that products and practices can differ not only internationally but also within different regions of the USA.

Forum members have shared their appreciation for nurses, highlighting that they are often the most approachable and primary source of information and support for ostomy care.

- One member shared an observation from their first stoma nurse: what works for one patient may not work for another, and successful care often involves trial and error for both the nurse and the patient.

- Another member noted that local support groups may dwindle because many ostomates prefer privacy, and online forums help fill this gap by allowing people to connect anonymously across different regions.

- Several members are also curious about the percentage of ostomates in the general population and would welcome reliable statistics.