Foot care confidence of individuals with diabetes in a medically underserved area

Abstract

More than 30 million Americans have diabetes, and approximately five in every 1000 will be hospitalized for lower limb amputations each year. Foot care is vitally important to prevent both limb and life threatening complications in patients with diabetes. The rate of diabetes in Ohio is 11% and in Lucas County is 12%. High rates of diabetes and low incomes are prevalent in medically underserved areas in Lucas County. Additionally, income, education level, and access to primary care pose unique barriers to foot care for individuals in medically underserved areas. Foot care education that addresses these barriers may affect participation in self care behaviors. The purpose of this Doctor of Nursing Practice Evidence-Based Practice project is to evaluate the impact of a one-time foot focused education session with provision of diabetic socks and an unbreakable telescopic mirror on knowledge, confidence, and behaviors among patients with diabetes ≥30 years of age in a medically underserved area in Lucas County. The Theory of Planned Behavior and the Iowa Model guided the implementation of the project. On Visit 1, demographic and health data was obtained. Participants completed the Knowledge of Foot Care, Foot Care Confidence Survey and Foot Care Behavior questionnaires and received a one-time foot focused education session, diabetic socks and an unbreakable telescopic mirror. On Visit 2, participants repeated the 3 foot care questionnaires, gave feedback, and received a gift card. Twelve patients (7 females and 5 males) completed both visits. Both knowledge of foot care (p=0.03) and foot care behavior (p=0.02) increased. A one-time foot care education session with provision of diabetic socks and an unbreakable telescopic mirror may be helpful strategy to increase foot care behaviors in patients with diabetes in a medically underserved area.