Drovandi, Aaron, Crowley, Benjamin, Alahakoon, Chanika, Seng, Leonard, Fernando, Mal, Ross, Diane, Evans, Rebecca, and Golledge, Jon (2023) Perceptions of Australians with diabetes-related foot disease on requirements for effective secondary prevention. Australian Journal of Rural Health, 31 (4). pp. 690-703.

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Abstract

Introduction: Secondary prevention is essential in reducing recurrence of diabetes-related foot disease (DFD) but is frequently poorly implemented in clinical practice.

Objective: To explore the perceptions of people with diabetes-related foot disease (DFD) on their self-perceived knowledge in managing DFD, facilitators and barriers influencing their DFD care, and ideas and preferences for a secondary prevention program.

Design: Sixteen people with a history of DFD from Queensland and Victoria, Australia, underwent semi-structured interviews. Interviews were audio-recorded over telephone and transcribed and analysed following a thematic framework. Participants were asked about their experiences and perceptions relating to DFD and factors influencing the care they receive for DFD relevant to the development of a secondary prevention program for DFD.

Findings and discussion: Participants had high self-perceived knowledge in managing DFD, especially in implementing healthy lifestyle changes and conducting daily foot checks and foot care, though most received support from family members acting as carers. However, issues with access and adherence to offloading footwear, and a lack of clear education received on footwear and other aspects of DFD care were perceived as major barriers. Improved patient education, provided in a consistent manner by proactive clinicians was perceived as an essential part of secondary prevention. Telehealth was perceived positively through facilitating faster care and considered a good adjunct to standard care. Health and technological literacy were considered potentially major barriers to the effectiveness of remote care.

Conclusion: People with DFD require improved access to offloading footwear and education about secondary prevention, which could be provided by telehealth with adequate support.

Item ID:	80241
Item Type:	Article (Research - C1)
ISSN:	1440-1584
Keywords:	diabetes, offloading footwear, patient education, peripheral artery disease, qualitative research, secondary care, telehealth
Copyright Information:	© 2023 The Authors. Australian Journal of Rural Health published by John Wiley & Sons Australia, Ltd on behalf of National Rural Health Alliance Ltd. This is an open access article under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits use, distribution and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.
Funders:	National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC)
Date Deposited:	01 Sep 2023 06:59
FoR Codes:	42 HEALTH SCIENCES > 4203 Health services and systems > 420399 Health services and systems not elsewhere classified @ 100%
SEO Codes:	20 HEALTH > 2001 Clinical health > 200104 Prevention of human diseases and conditions @ 50% 20 HEALTH > 2001 Clinical health > 200105 Treatment of human diseases and conditions @ 50%
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