Affiliation:
1. School of Medicine and Public Health University of Newcastle Callaghan New South Wales Australia
2. Faculty of Health Science and Medicine Bond University Gold Coast Queensland Australia
3. Allied Health and Human Performance University of South Australia Adelaide South Australia Australia
4. School of Clinical Sciences Faculty of Medicine Nursing and Health Sciences Monash University Clayton Victoria Australia
5. College of Health Medicine and Wellbeing University of Newcastle Ourimbah Ourimbah New South Wales Australia
Abstract
AbstractBackgroundDiabetes related foot ulcer (DFU) is a leading cause of impaired quality of life, disability, hospitalisation, amputation and mortality in people with diabetes. It is therefore critical that podiatrists across all settings, including community settings, are confident and capable of providing care for diabetes‐related foot complications. This study aims to describe current practice, confidence and anxiety levels of community podiatrists in the management of patients with foot ulceration. Furthermore, current barriers to service provision and interest in future educational opportunities will also be explored.MethodsAn online cross‐sectional survey was distributed to Australian community podiatrists. Descriptive variables including gender, age, professional experience, practice location and practise setting were elicited. A modified competitive State Anxiety Inventory‐2 (CSAI‐2) was utilised to measure anxiety related to managing a foot ulcer. Other questions included a combination of multiple choice and open‐ended free‐text responses relating to assessment, confidence and referral pathways.ResultsOne hundred and twenty‐two Australian community‐based podiatrists responded to the survey. A variety of ulcer sizes and complexity were reported to be managed in community settings. Confidence in DFU management was high in most manual skill domains including: stabilisation of the foot (85.7%, standard deviation [SD] 17.42), scalpel control (83.0%, SD 20.02), debridement with a scalpel (82.7%, SD 18.19) and aseptic technique (81.0%, SD 18.62, maintaining integrity of healthy tissue (77.3%, SD 21.11), removal of appropriate tissue (75.6%, SD 22.53), depth of ulceration (73.7%, SD 23.99) and ability to manage messy wounds (69.1%, SD 26.04). Curette debridement had substantially lower levels of reported confidence (41.0%, SD 34.24). Performance anxiety was low with somatic and cognitive anxiety of 6/24 and 3/8 on the CSAI‐2, respectively.ConclusionCommunity podiatrists are managing foot ulcers of varying size and complexity. Confidence and anxiety do not pose a barrier to care. Adherence to wound assessment clinical guidelines is low and confidence with the use of curette was sub‐optimal. Further educational programs may overcome these barriers and support shared models of care between community and acute podiatry services.