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Challenges and Expectations of Diabetic Foot Care from the Patients’ Point of Views

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Journal of Diabetes & Metabolic Disorders Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Introduction

Diabetic foot ulcer (DFU) as a common complication of diabetes needs a multi-disciplinary care approach in which the patient suffering from DFU is considered as a member of the care team. According to the effective role of patients in DFU prevention and management, this study was an attempt to explore patients’ views and expectations regarding provision of DFU preventive and therapeutic care to facilitate the process of care and management.

Methods

A qualitative research approach, using two focus group discussions, was conducted with patients suffering from diabetes and DFU. The questions designed to encourage the discussion were focused on the patients’ experience of foot and DFU care. We continued the discussions until we reached data saturation. The participants’ responses were recorded via a recorder and by taking notes. Afterwards, the discussions were transcribed and common themes were identified and categorized.

Results

Initially, fifty-seven codes were extracted which were then summarized and classified. Afterward, three themes and six sub-themes were determined as follows: defective education and ineffective communication("a defect in the patient education system", "impaired communication"), multi-faceted challenges of wound healing ("out of pocket expenses, treatment compliance", "non-physical injury"), and full support ("empathy" and "patient-centeredness").

Conclusion

According to patients’ views, patients’ concerns, and their socioeconomic conditions should be taken into consideration in designing an effective DFU care plan. In this regard, a strong communication with the patients to prepare a holistic care intended for patients’ full support would be essential.

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Abbreviations

DFU:

Diabetic Foot Ulcer

FGD:

Focus Group Discussion

F:

Female

M:

Male

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Acknowledgements

The authors gratefully acknowledge the contribution of all patients with diabetes and DFU who participated in FGD sessions, as well as the manager, supervisor and personnel of Diabetes and Metabolic Disorder Clinic.

Funding

Iran University of Medical Sciences vice-chancellor for Research (grant number 1398–2-75–15000) has granted the study.

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Center for Educational Research in Medical Sciences (CERMS), Department of Medical Education, School of Medicine, Iran University of Medical Sciences (IUMS), Hemmat Highway, 1449614535, Tehran, Iran

    Maryam Aalaa, Shoaleh Bigdeli, Afsaneh Dehnad, Zohreh Sohrabi & Kamran Soltani Arabshahi

  2. Diabetes Research Center, Endocrinology and Metabolism Clinical Sciences Institute, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Jalale Ale Ahmad Ave, 1411413137, Tehran, Iran

    Neda Mehrdad

  3. Nursing Care Research Center (NCRC), School of Nursing and Midwifery, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran

    Neda Mehrdad

  4. Department of English Language, School of Health Management and Information Sciences, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran

    Afsaneh Dehnad

Authors
  1. Maryam Aalaa
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  2. Neda Mehrdad
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  3. Shoaleh Bigdeli
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  4. Afsaneh Dehnad
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  5. Zohreh Sohrabi
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  6. Kamran Soltani Arabshahi
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Contributions

MA and NM hold FGD sessions. MA, NM and SB extracted the themes, sub-themes, open codes, and key statements from the FGD discussions. MA, SB and AD had the major contribution in writing the manuscript. ZS and KSA read and commented the manuscript. All authors approved the final manuscript.

Corresponding authors

Correspondence to Neda Mehrdad or Shoaleh Bigdeli.

Ethics declarations

Ethics approval and consent to participate

The present study is part of the PhD dissertation entitled "Developing the Game Design Document and Designing a Demo of Diabetic Foot Gamification" submitted by Maryam Aalaa, and approved by the Ethics Committee of Iran University of Medical Sciences (IUMS) in 2020 (code: IR.IUMS.REC.1398.1184).

Consent for publication

All authors have approved the manuscript and agree with its submission to the “Journal of Diabetes & Metabolic Disorders”.

Competing interests

The authors declare that they have no competing interests.

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Aalaa, M., Mehrdad, N., Bigdeli, S. et al. Challenges and Expectations of Diabetic Foot Care from the Patients’ Point of Views. J Diabetes Metab Disord 20, 1111–1118 (2021). https://doi.org/10.1007/s40200-021-00825-z

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s40200-021-00825-z

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