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Medicina (Kaunas, Lithuania) Dec 2021: Smart wearable devices are effective in diabetic foot ulcer (DFU) prevention. However, factors determining their acceptance are poorly understood. This systematic... (Review)
Review
: Smart wearable devices are effective in diabetic foot ulcer (DFU) prevention. However, factors determining their acceptance are poorly understood. This systematic review aims to examine the literature on patient and provider perspectives of smart wearable devices in DFU prevention. : PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science were systematically searched up to October 2021. The selected articles were assessed for methodological quality using the quality assessment tool for studies with diverse designs. A total of five articles were identified and described. The methodological quality of the studies ranged from low to moderate. Two studies employed a quantitative study design and focused on the patient perspective, whereas three studies included a mixed, quantitative/qualitative design and explored patient or provider (podiatrist) perspectives. Four studies focused on an insole system and one included a smart sock device. The quantitative studies demonstrated that devices were comfortable, well designed and useful in preventing DFU. One mixed design study reported that patients did not intend to adopt an insole device in its current design because of malfunctions, a lack of comfort. and alert intrusiveness, despite the general perception that the device was a useful tool for foot risk monitoring. Two mixed design studies found that performance expectancy was a predictor of a podiatrist's behavioural intention to recommend an insole device in clinical practice. Disappointing participant experiences negatively impacted the podiatrists' intention to adopt a smart device. The need for additional refinements of the device was indicated by patients and providers before its use in this population. The current evidence about patient and provider perspectives on smart wearable technology is limited by scarce methodological quality and conflicting results. It is, thus, not possible to draw definitive conclusions regarding acceptability of these devices for the prevention of DFU in people with diabetes.
Topics: Diabetes Mellitus; Diabetic Foot; Foot; Foot Orthoses; Humans; Shoes; Wearable Electronic Devices
PubMed: 34946304
DOI: 10.3390/medicina57121359 -
BMC Health Services Research Nov 2020Increasing numbers of nurses, pharmacists and allied health professionals across the world have prescribing rights for medicines: over 90,000 of the eligible United... (Comparative Study)
Comparative Study
BACKGROUND
Increasing numbers of nurses, pharmacists and allied health professionals across the world have prescribing rights for medicines: over 90,000 of the eligible United Kingdom workforce are qualified as non-doctor prescribers. In order to inform future developments, it is important to understand the benefits and impact of prescribing by allied health professionals including physiotherapists and podiatrists.
AIM
to compare outcomes of physiotherapist and podiatrist Independent Prescriber (PP- IP) patients with those of physiotherapist and podiatrist non-prescribers (PP-NPs). Outcome measures included patient satisfaction, ease of access to services, quality of life and cost implications.
DESIGN
a mixed method comparative case study.
METHODS
Using mixed methods of data collection, outcomes were compared between 7 sites where care was provided from a PP-IP (3 podiatrist and 4 physiotherapist IPs) and 7 sites from a PP-NP (3 podiatrist and 4 physiotherapist NPs). Patients were followed up for 2 months (2015-2016).
RESULTS
489 patients were recruited: n = 243 IP sites, and n = 246 NP sites. Independent prescribing was found to be highly acceptable, and equivalent in terms of quality of life (p > 0.05) and patient satisfaction (p ≤ 0.05) compared to care provided by NPs. PP-IP care delivery was found to be more resource intensive than PP-NP, with longer consultation duration for IPs (around 6.5 mins), and a higher proportion of physiotherapy patients discussed with medical colleagues (around 9.5 min).
CONCLUSION
This study provides new knowledge that PP-IPs provide high levels of care. PP-IP care delivery was found to be more resource intensive. Further research is required to explore cost effectiveness. A more focussed exploration within each profession using targeted outcome measures would enable a more robust comparison, inform future developments around the world and help ensure non-doctor prescribing is recognised as an effective way to alleviate shortfalls in the global workforce.
Topics: Adult; Allied Health Personnel; Drug Prescriptions; Female; Health Services Accessibility; Humans; Male; Middle Aged; Patient Satisfaction; Physical Therapists; Podiatry; Professional Autonomy; Quality of Life; Retrospective Studies; United Kingdom
PubMed: 33234141
DOI: 10.1186/s12913-020-05918-8 -
Advances in Skin & Wound Care Nov 2017Healthcare systems are being challenged to manage increasing numbers of nonhealing wounds. Wound dressings are one of the first lines of defense in wound management, and... (Review)
Review
OBJECTIVE
Healthcare systems are being challenged to manage increasing numbers of nonhealing wounds. Wound dressings are one of the first lines of defense in wound management, and numerous options exist. The oxidized regenerated cellulose (ORC)/collagen dressing may offer healthcare providers a robust and cost-effective tool for use in a variety of wounds.
DESIGN
A multidisciplinary panel meeting was convened to discuss the use of ORC/collagen dressings in wound care and provide practice recommendations. A literature search was conducted to provide a brief review of the peer-reviewed studies published between January 2000 and March 2016 to inform the meeting.
SETTING
A 2-day panel meeting convened in February 2017.
PARTICIPANTS
Healthcare providers with experience using ORC/collagen dressings. This multidisciplinary panel of 15 experts in wound healing included podiatrists, wound care specialists (doctors, certified wound care nurses, and research scientists), and an orthopedist.
RESULTS
The literature search identified 58 articles, a majority of which were low levels of evidence (69.3% were level 3 or lower). Panel members identified wound types, such as abrasions, burns, stalled wounds, diabetic foot ulcers, and pressure injuries, where ORC/collagen dressing use could be beneficial. Panel members then provided recommendations and technical pearls for the use of ORC/collagen dressings in practice. Barriers to ORC/collagen dressing use were discussed, and potential resolutions were offered.
CONCLUSIONS
An ORC/collagen dressing can be a critical tool for clinicians to help manage a variety of wounds. Clinical and economic studies comparing standard-of-care dressings and plain collagen dressings to ORC/collagen dressings are needed.
Topics: Bandages, Hydrocolloid; Cellulose, Oxidized; Congresses as Topic; Diabetic Foot; Evidence-Based Medicine; Female; Humans; Male; Occlusive Dressings; Practice Guidelines as Topic; Prognosis; Wound Healing; Wounds and Injuries
PubMed: 29049055
DOI: 10.1097/01.ASW.0000525951.20270.6c -
Journal of Foot and Ankle Research Aug 2022The concept of person-centred care is embedded within healthcare policy, focusing on long-term conditions and multimorbidity. The evidence that person-centred care is... (Review)
Review
BACKGROUND
The concept of person-centred care is embedded within healthcare policy, focusing on long-term conditions and multimorbidity. The evidence that person-centred care is being operationalised effectively across all areas of healthcare is limited. The aim of this scoping review was to explore the application, features, and effectiveness of person-centred care with service-users, carers, and the community within podiatry.
METHODS
The scoping review was based upon Arksey and Malley's five stage framework. The following databases were searched between January 2010 and March 2021: AMED, CINAHL, Embase, Cochrane library, SocINDEX, British Education Index, Business Source Complete, MEDLINE (EBSCO), and the EThOS 'Global electronic thesis and dissertation' repository, Prospero, and reference lists of included papers. Primary research articles were included if they reported on a person-centred care focused intervention with podiatry. Research terms were developed, appropriate databases identified, and an initial search resulted in 622 papers which, following removal of duplicates and critical appraisal, resulted in 18 eligible papers. Data extracted involved the types of person-centred care utilised, intervention details, motivations for engaging in person-centred care interventions, and intervention barriers and challenges.
RESULTS
Eighteen articles were included in the review. The main type of person-centred care utilised was patient/carer activities around self-management. None of the studies considered the role of the podiatrist as a person-centred care agent. The data on interventions generated the following themes 'service facilitated person-centred care' where a change has been made to service delivery, 'direct clinician delivery' where the intervention is delivered by the clinician with the patient present and 'patient instigated participation' where patient motivation is required to engage with an activity beyond the consultation. Outcome measures associated with quality of care and effectiveness were absent.
CONCLUSION
There is a lack of congruency between the concept of person-centred care and how it is operationalised. A whole system approach that considers commissioning, organisational leadership, the role of the practitioners and patients has not been considered. There is immense scope for the podiatrist to play an important part in the personalised-care agenda, but currently research that can evidence the effectiveness of person-centred care in podiatry is absent.
REVIEW REGISTRATION
Open Science Framework ( osf.io/egjsd ).
Topics: Humans; Patient Participation; Patient-Centered Care; Podiatry; Self Care; Self-Management
PubMed: 35986405
DOI: 10.1186/s13047-022-00566-z -
BMC Health Services Research Oct 2023International evidence suggests that an integrated multidisciplinary approach to diabetic foot management is necessary to prevent ulceration and progression to...
BACKGROUND
International evidence suggests that an integrated multidisciplinary approach to diabetic foot management is necessary to prevent ulceration and progression to amputation. Many health systems have introduced policies or models of care supporting the introduction of this evidence into practice, but little is known about the experiences of those involved in implementation. This study addresses this gap by examining the experiences of podiatrists providing integrated diabetic foot care.
METHODS
Between October 2017 and April 2018, an online survey comprising closed and open-ended questions on podiatrists' demographics, clinical activity, links with other services, continuous professional development activities and experiences of implementing the Model of Care was administered to podiatrists (n = 73) working for Ireland's Health Service Executive in the community and hospital setting. Data were analysed using descriptive statistics and qualitative content analysis.
RESULTS
The response rate was 68% (n = 50), with 46% (n = 23), 38% (n = 19) and 16% (n = 8) working across hospital, community and both settings, respectively. Most reported treating high-risk patients (66%), those with active foot disease (61%) and educating people about the risk of diabetes to the lower limb (80%). Reported challenges towards integrated diabetic foot care include a perceived lack of awareness of the role of podiatry amongst other healthcare professionals, poor integration between hospital and community podiatry services, especially where new services had been developed, and insufficient number of podiatrists to meet service demands.
CONCLUSION
Previous evidence has shown that there is often a gap between what is set out by a policy and what it looks like when delivered to service users. Results from the current study support this, highlighting that while most podiatrists work in line with national recommendations, there are specific gaps and challenges that need to be addressed to ensure successful policy implementation.
Topics: Humans; Diabetic Foot; Ireland; Foot Diseases; Podiatry; Surveys and Questionnaires; Diabetes Mellitus
PubMed: 37884981
DOI: 10.1186/s12913-023-10144-z -
Materials (Basel, Switzerland) Jun 2022In clinical practice, specific customization is needed to address foot pathology, which must be disease and patient-specific. To date, the traditional methods for...
BACKGROUND
In clinical practice, specific customization is needed to address foot pathology, which must be disease and patient-specific. To date, the traditional methods for manufacturing custom functional Foot Orthoses (FO) are based on plaster casting and manual manufacturing, hence orthotic therapy depends entirely on the skills and expertise of individual practitioners. This makes the procedures difficult to standardize and replicate, as well as expensive, time-consuming and material-wasting, as well as difficult to standardize and replicate. 3D printing offers new perspectives in the development of patient-specific orthoses, as it permits addressing all the limitations of currently available technologies, but has been so far scarcely explored for the podiatric field, so many aspects remain unmet, especially for what regards customization, which requires the definition of a protocol that entails all stages from patient scanning to manufacturing.
METHODS
A feasibility study was carried out involving interdisciplinary cooperation between industrial engineers and podiatrists. To that end: (i) For patient-specific data acquisition, 3D scanning of the foot is compared to traditional casting. (ii) a modelling GD workflow is first created to design a process permitting easy creations of customized shapes, enabling the end user (the podiatrist) to interactively customize the orthoses. Then, (iii) a comparison is made between different printing materials, in order to reproduce the same mechanical behavior shown by standard orthoses. To do this, the mechanical properties of standard materials (Polycarbonate sheets), cut and hand-shaped, are compared with four groups of 3D printed samples: poly(ethylene glycol) (PETG), poly(acrylonitrile-butadiene.styrene) (ABS), polycarbonate (PC) and poly(lactic acid) (PLA) obtained by Fused Filament Fabrication (FFF).
RESULTS
Differences found between the foot plaster model obtained with the plaster slipper cast in a neutral position and the model of the real foot obtained with 3D scanning in the same position can be ascribed to the non-stationarity of the patient during the acquisition process, and were limited by a locking system with which no substantial differences in the almost entire sole of the foot scan were observed.
CONCLUSIONS
Using the designed GD workflow, podiatrists with limited CAD skills can easily design and interactively customize foot orthoses to adapt them to the patients' clinical needs. 3D printing enables the complex shape of the orthoses to be reproduced easily and quickly. Compared to Polycarbonate sheets (gold standard), all the printed materials were less deformable and reached lower yield stress for comparable deformation. No modifications in any of the materials as a result of printing process were observed.
PubMed: 35744123
DOI: 10.3390/ma15124064 -
Seminars in Vascular Surgery Jun 2023Limb amputation is a consequence, and the leading complication, of diabetic foot ulcers. Prevention depends on prompt diagnosis and management. Patients should be... (Review)
Review
Limb amputation is a consequence, and the leading complication, of diabetic foot ulcers. Prevention depends on prompt diagnosis and management. Patients should be managed by multidisciplinary teams and efforts should be focused on limb salvage ("time is tissue"). The diabetic foot service should be organized in a way to meet the patient's clinical needs, with the diabetic foot centers at the highest level of this structure. Surgical management should be multimodal and include not only revascularization, but also surgical and biological debridement, minor amputations, and advanced wound therapy. Medical treatment, including an adequate antimicrobial therapy, has a key role in the eradication of infection and should be guided by microbiologists and infection disease physicians with special interest in bone infection. Input from diabetologists, radiologists, orthopedic teams (foot and ankle), orthotists, podiatrists, physiotherapists, and prosthetics, as well as psychological counseling, is required to make the service comprehensive. After the acute phase, a well-structured, pragmatic follow-up program is necessary to adequately manage the patients with the aim to detect earlier potential failures of the revascularization or antimicrobial therapy. Considering the cost and societal impact of diabetic foot problems, health care providers should provide resources to manage the burden of diabetic foot problems in the modern era.
Topics: Humans; Diabetic Foot; Limb Salvage; Vascular Surgical Procedures; Debridement; Anti-Infective Agents; Diabetes Mellitus
PubMed: 37330236
DOI: 10.1053/j.semvascsurg.2023.04.012 -
JAMA Network Open Mar 2024Patients with kidney failure have an increased risk of diabetes-related foot complications. The benefit of regular foot and ankle care in this at-risk population is...
IMPORTANCE
Patients with kidney failure have an increased risk of diabetes-related foot complications. The benefit of regular foot and ankle care in this at-risk population is unknown.
OBJECTIVE
To investigate foot and ankle care by podiatrists and the outcomes of diabetic foot ulcers (DFUs) in patients with kidney failure.
DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS
This retrospective cohort study included Medicare beneficiaries with type 2 diabetes receiving dialysis who had a new DFU diagnosis. The analysis of the calendar year 2016 to 2019 data from the United States Renal Data System was performed on June 15, 2023, with subsequent updates on December 11, 2023.
EXPOSURES
Foot and ankle care by podiatrists during 3 months prior to DFU diagnosis.
MAIN OUTCOMES AND MEASURES
The outcomes were a composite of death and/or major amputation, as well as major amputation alone. Kaplan-Meier analysis was used to estimate 2 to 3 years of amputation-free survival. Foot and ankle care by podiatrists and the composite outcome was examined using inverse probability-weighted Cox regression, while competing risk regression models were used for the analysis of amputation alone.
RESULTS
Among the 14 935 adult patients with kidney failure and a new DFU (mean [SD] age, 59.3 [12.7] years; 35.4% aged ≥65 years; 8284 men [55.4%]; Asian, 2.7%; Black/African American, 35.0%; Hispanic, 17.7%; White, 58.5%), 18.4% (n = 2736) received care by podiatrists in the 3 months before index DFU diagnosis. These patients were older, more likely to be male, and have more comorbidities than those without prior podiatrist visits. Over a mean (SD) 13.5 (12.0)-month follow-up, 70% of those with podiatric care experienced death and/or major amputation, compared with 74% in the nonpodiatric group. Survival probabilities at 36 months were 26.3% vs 22.8% (P < .001, unadjusted Kaplan-Meier survival analysis). In multivariate regression analysis, foot and ankle care was associated with an 11% lower likelihood of death and/or amputation (hazard ratio [HR], 0.89 95% CI, 0.84-0.93) and a 9% lower likelihood of major amputation (above or below knee) (HR, 0.91; 95% CI, 0.84-0.99) than those who did not.
CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE
The findings of this study suggest that patients with kidney failure at risk for DFUs who receive foot and ankle care from podiatrists may be associated with a reduced likelihood of diabetes-related amputations.
Topics: Adult; Humans; Male; Aged; United States; Middle Aged; Female; Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2; Ankle; Retrospective Studies; Medicare; Diabetic Foot; Risk Factors; Amputation, Surgical; Renal Insufficiency
PubMed: 38427353
DOI: 10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2024.0801 -
Journal of Foot and Ankle Research Jun 2021Healthcare aims to promote good health and yet demonstrably contributes to climate change, which is purported to be 'the biggest global health threat of the 21st...
BACKGROUND
Healthcare aims to promote good health and yet demonstrably contributes to climate change, which is purported to be 'the biggest global health threat of the 21st century'. This is happening now, with healthcare as an industry representing 4.4% of global carbon dioxide emissions.
MAIN BODY
Climate change promotes health deficits from many angles; however, primarily it is the use of fossil fuels which increases atmospheric carbon dioxide (also nitrous oxide, and methane). These greenhouse gases prevent the earth from cooling, resulting in the higher temperatures and rising sea levels, which then cause 'wild weather' patterns, including floods, storms, and droughts. Particular vulnerability is afforded to those already health compromised (older people, pregnant women, children, wider health co-morbidities) as well as populations closer to equatorial zones, which encompasses many low-and-middle-income-countries. The paradox here, is that poorer nations by spending less on healthcare, have lower carbon emissions from health-related activity, and yet will suffer most from global warming effects, with scant resources to off-set the increasing health care needs. Global recognition has forged the Paris agreement, the United Nations sustainable developments goals, and the World Health Organisation climate change action plan. It is agreed that most healthcare impact comes from consumption of energy and resources, and the production of greenhouse gases into the environment. Many professional associations of medicine and allied health professionals are advocating for their members to lead on environmental sustainability; the Australian Podiatry Association is incorporating climate change into its strategic direction.
CONCLUSION
Podiatrists, as allied health professionals, have wide community engagement, and hence, can model positive environmental practices, which may be effective in changing wider community behaviours, as occurred last century when doctors stopped smoking. As foot health consumers, our patients are increasingly likely to expect more sustainable practices and products, including 'green footwear' options. Green Podiatry, as a part of sustainable healthcare, directs us to be responsible energy and product consumers, and reduce our workplace emissions.
Topics: Carbon Footprint; Climate Change; Humans; Podiatry; Sustainable Development
PubMed: 34130735
DOI: 10.1186/s13047-021-00483-7