A collaborative approach in patient education for diabetes foot and wound care: A pragmatic randomised controlled trial

Abstract

Foot care education is an important strategy in reducing lower limb complications. There is evidence that contemporary communication approaches can improve patient education outcomes. To inform the potential of such methods in diabetic foot education, we trialled a collaborative approach in patient education counselling in a podiatry clinic. We conducted a single-blind pragmatic randomised controlled trial on 52 diabetes patients who had an active foot ulcer. Participants were randomised to either collaborative education or traditional didactic education. Outcomes on knowledge and self-care behaviours were collected via a pre and post study questionnaire (max score: 75). The study ended at 12 weeks or when the wound healed prior. 42 (80.7%) participants completed the study. The collaborative patient education group had a significant increase in score post-study (38.8 ± 8.5) compared to pre-study (32.8 ± 6.9; P < .001). The control group had no significant increase in score post study. The difference in scores between groups had a moderate effect size (d = 0.54). The use of a collaborative approach in patient education was able to produce significantly greater increase in knowledge retention and self-care behaviours, without the need for additional consultation time in a podiatry clinic.

12. Retinopathy, Neuropathy, and Foot Care:Standards of Care in Diabetes—2023

“…All people with diabetes (and their families), particularly those with the aforementioned high-risk conditions, should receive general foot care education, including appropriate management strategies (82)(83)(84). This education should be provided to all newly diagnosed people with diabetes as part of an annual comprehensive examination and to individuals with high-risk conditions at every visit.…”

Antimicrobial Stewardship in Wound Care

“…Education is a vital component of stewardship practices and is important for both healthcare professionals and patients 17 . Healthcare professionals should have a strong understanding of wound care management so that a comprehensive approach is used in treating patients with chronic wounds, which may not require antimicrobials.…”

“…Education is a vital component of stewardship practices and is important for both healthcare professionals and patients. 17 Healthcare professionals should have a strong understanding of wound care management so that a comprehensive approach is used in treating patients with chronic wounds, which may not require antimicrobials. This approach encompasses managing chronic conditions (eg, diabetes) and risk factors (eg, smoking), the use of pressure offloading and compression stockings, 18 and the infection and chronic wound care principles previously discussed to facilitate wound healing.…”

The application, character, and effectiveness of person‐centred care with service‐users, and the community within the discipline of podiatry: a scoping review

“…A variety of settings were represented with 41% at multiple sites [4,16,21,26,27,29,30]. Community settings accounted for 27% [15,[17][18][19]28] with a further 6% in the home [25], and 16% at podiatry clinics or medical centres [23,24,31]. Eleven percent of the studies did not state the context or setting of the study [28,29].…”