A CNS-managed diabetes foot-care clinic: a descriptive survey of characteristics and foot-care behaviors of the patient population

Clin Nurse Spec. 2001 Mar;15(2):52-7. doi: 10.1097/00002800-200103000-00006.

Abstract

Lower extremity lesions are the primary cause of hospitalization for people with diabetes, resulting in enormous personal and financial costs. This study used a survey designed to describe the characteristics and foot-care behaviors of people with diabetes who attended a clinical nurse specialist managed foot-care clinic. Forty-eight patients who received care at the participating foot-care clinic completed a 21-item multiple-choice questionnaire designed to determine the presence of foot pathology and foot-care behaviors. Most of the patients were between 65 and 74 years of age, had concurrent illnesses, and had four or more primary care visits per year. Although 69% had existing foot pathology, only 44% reported inspecting their feet daily and only 54% reported that their primary care provider examined their feet on each visit. Twenty-five percent reported going barefoot sometimes and eight percent would either treat a foot lesion themselves or wait for it to get better.

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Aged
  • Diabetic Foot / nursing
  • Diabetic Foot / therapy*
  • Female
  • Health Behavior
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Nurse Clinicians*
  • Outpatient Clinics, Hospital
  • Patient Compliance*
  • Self Care*