What are the current diabetic foot assessment methods in private podiatry practices in Flanders, Belgium: an exploratory mixed method study
Abstract Background Diabetic foot assessments detect patients at risk for developing a diabetes‐related foot ulceration and can significantly reduce the risk of amputation. In order to organize this assessment effectively, diabetic foot assessment guidelines are required according to the Internation...
| Main Authors: | , |
|---|---|
| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
| Published: |
Wiley
2023-01-01
|
| Series: | Journal of Foot and Ankle Research |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | https://doi.org/10.1186/s13047-023-00615-1 |
| _version_ | 1797321382843908096 |
|---|---|
| author | Irene Vansteenland Rachel Forss |
| author_facet | Irene Vansteenland Rachel Forss |
| author_sort | Irene Vansteenland |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Abstract Background Diabetic foot assessments detect patients at risk for developing a diabetes‐related foot ulceration and can significantly reduce the risk of amputation. In order to organize this assessment effectively, diabetic foot assessment guidelines are required according to the International Working Group of the Diabetic Foot. However, these international guidelines have not been adapted into a national guideline for podiatrists in Flanders, Belgium. This study aims to identify the methods and guidelines currently used to assess the diabetic foot in private podiatry practices in Flanders, Belgium and to explore the podiatrists' opinions on developing a national diabetic foot assessment guideline. Methods This exploratory mixed method study was composed of an anonymous online survey comprising of open‐ and closed‐ended questions followed by 1:1 online semi‐structured interviews. Participants were recruited via e‐mail and a closed private Facebook group of podiatry alumni. Data was analyzed using SPSS statistics and thematic analysis described by Braun and Clarke. Results This study showed that the vascular assessment of the diabetic foot exists solely of a medical history and palpation of the pedal pulses. Non‐invasive tests such as doppler, toe brachial pressure index or ankle brachial pressure index are seldom used. Only 66% reported to use a guideline for the diabetic foot assessment. There was a variety of reported guidelines and risk stratification systems in use in private podiatry practices in Flanders, Belgium. Conclusion Non‐invasive tests such as the doppler, ankle brachial pressure index or toe brachial pressure index are rarely used for the vascular assessment of the diabetic foot. Diabetic foot assessment guidelines and risk stratification systems to identify patients at risk for developing a diabetic foot ulcer were not frequently used. International guidelines of the International Working Group of the Diabetic Foot have not yet been implemented in private podiatry practices in Flanders, Belgium. This exploratory research has provided useful information for future research studies. |
| first_indexed | 2024-03-08T04:57:46Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-bf6a055390a34a5095a5abfdcc461dc7 |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 1757-1146 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-03-08T04:57:46Z |
| publishDate | 2023-01-01 |
| publisher | Wiley |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Journal of Foot and Ankle Research |
| spelling | doaj.art-bf6a055390a34a5095a5abfdcc461dc72024-02-07T15:05:46ZengWileyJournal of Foot and Ankle Research1757-11462023-01-01161n/an/a10.1186/s13047-023-00615-1What are the current diabetic foot assessment methods in private podiatry practices in Flanders, Belgium: an exploratory mixed method studyIrene Vansteenland0Rachel Forss1School of Sport & Health SciencesUniversity of Brighton49 Darley RoadBN20 7UREastbourneUKCentre for Regenerative Medicine and DevicesUniversity of BrightonBrightonUKAbstract Background Diabetic foot assessments detect patients at risk for developing a diabetes‐related foot ulceration and can significantly reduce the risk of amputation. In order to organize this assessment effectively, diabetic foot assessment guidelines are required according to the International Working Group of the Diabetic Foot. However, these international guidelines have not been adapted into a national guideline for podiatrists in Flanders, Belgium. This study aims to identify the methods and guidelines currently used to assess the diabetic foot in private podiatry practices in Flanders, Belgium and to explore the podiatrists' opinions on developing a national diabetic foot assessment guideline. Methods This exploratory mixed method study was composed of an anonymous online survey comprising of open‐ and closed‐ended questions followed by 1:1 online semi‐structured interviews. Participants were recruited via e‐mail and a closed private Facebook group of podiatry alumni. Data was analyzed using SPSS statistics and thematic analysis described by Braun and Clarke. Results This study showed that the vascular assessment of the diabetic foot exists solely of a medical history and palpation of the pedal pulses. Non‐invasive tests such as doppler, toe brachial pressure index or ankle brachial pressure index are seldom used. Only 66% reported to use a guideline for the diabetic foot assessment. There was a variety of reported guidelines and risk stratification systems in use in private podiatry practices in Flanders, Belgium. Conclusion Non‐invasive tests such as the doppler, ankle brachial pressure index or toe brachial pressure index are rarely used for the vascular assessment of the diabetic foot. Diabetic foot assessment guidelines and risk stratification systems to identify patients at risk for developing a diabetic foot ulcer were not frequently used. International guidelines of the International Working Group of the Diabetic Foot have not yet been implemented in private podiatry practices in Flanders, Belgium. This exploratory research has provided useful information for future research studies.https://doi.org/10.1186/s13047-023-00615-1Diabetes MellitusDiabetic FootGuidelineQualitative ResearchSurveys and QuestionnairesInterview |
| spellingShingle | Irene Vansteenland Rachel Forss What are the current diabetic foot assessment methods in private podiatry practices in Flanders, Belgium: an exploratory mixed method study Journal of Foot and Ankle Research Diabetes Mellitus Diabetic Foot Guideline Qualitative Research Surveys and Questionnaires Interview |
| title | What are the current diabetic foot assessment methods in private podiatry practices in Flanders, Belgium: an exploratory mixed method study |
| title_full | What are the current diabetic foot assessment methods in private podiatry practices in Flanders, Belgium: an exploratory mixed method study |
| title_fullStr | What are the current diabetic foot assessment methods in private podiatry practices in Flanders, Belgium: an exploratory mixed method study |
| title_full_unstemmed | What are the current diabetic foot assessment methods in private podiatry practices in Flanders, Belgium: an exploratory mixed method study |
| title_short | What are the current diabetic foot assessment methods in private podiatry practices in Flanders, Belgium: an exploratory mixed method study |
| title_sort | what are the current diabetic foot assessment methods in private podiatry practices in flanders belgium an exploratory mixed method study |
| topic | Diabetes Mellitus Diabetic Foot Guideline Qualitative Research Surveys and Questionnaires Interview |
| url | https://doi.org/10.1186/s13047-023-00615-1 |
| work_keys_str_mv | AT irenevansteenland whatarethecurrentdiabeticfootassessmentmethodsinprivatepodiatrypracticesinflandersbelgiumanexploratorymixedmethodstudy AT rachelforss whatarethecurrentdiabeticfootassessmentmethodsinprivatepodiatrypracticesinflandersbelgiumanexploratorymixedmethodstudy |