SLR - January 2024 - Liew
Title: Experiences of a Novel Structured Foot Examination Form for Patients With Diabetes From the Perspective of Health Care Professionals: Qualitative Study.Reference: Andersson S, Scandurra I, Nyström U, Varemo M, Hellstrand Tang U. Experiences of a Novel Structured Foot Examination Form for Patients With Diabetes From the Perspective of Health Care Professionals: Qualitative Study. JMIR Nurs. 2023 Jul 18;6:e45501.
Level of Evidence: 3 Qualitative study
Scientific Literature Review
Reviewed By: Victoria Liew DPM
Residency Program: Scripps Mercy San Diego
Podiatric Relevance: This questionnaire is an insight for health care providers have a more streamlined and reliable approach to asking patients on the status of one’s foot health and getting a more accurate understanding during an annual visit. Especially taking care to note those with diabetes or other co-morbidities.
Methods: This is study that looked at patients with diabetes and other co morbidities, where data was collected and compared between sub-groups. Health care providers examined patients feet during their annual visit and utilized a new form of questionnaire provided. The HCP were then reviewed on how they liked the new questionnaire and if it was useful or cumbersome.
Results: Overall the questionnaire was reliable however some HCP felt it could have more structure or explanation. Professional judgement is still required when evaluating patients. Many respondents found the questionnaire helpful to start patient evaluations and could be used to educate patients for long term treatment and self-evaluation.
Conclusions: New questionnaires can be helpful for HCP other than podiatrists. The information can be used to break down patient risk factors and foot ulcerations given history of diabetes and/or other co-morbidities. It allows a uniform exam to be used without further variability between providers. This can help a resident versus other providers and attendings to keep patients comfortable when varying levels of experience are coming to treat a patient. It allowed educational value as well with patients to be self-aware on their conditions.