An exploration of the experience of frontline healthcare professionals working with people with diabetic foot complications: A mixed methods protocol (Preprint)

Abstract

Background: Diabetes affects around 3.7 million individuals in the UK, with 19-34% developing diabetic foot ulceration (DFU) during their lifespan which can lead to an amputation. In the UK, 169 people have an amputation due to diabetes every week. Preventing first-ever ulcers is the most effective strategy to reduce the occurrence of diabetes-related amputations, but research in this space is lacking. Objective: The current protocol seeks to document the experiences and perspectives of frontline healthcare professionals who work with people who have diabetes and diabetic foot problems. Special attention is given to their perceptions of barriers for effective care, their views about barriers for effective and inclusive engagement with people with diabetes and their experience with first-ever DFU. Methods: This is a mixed methods explanatory protocol, which is sequential and its purpose is to use the qualitative data to explain the initial quantitative data collected through a survey of frontline healthcare professionals. The quantitative data collection started in March 2023 and will close in February 2024. The qualitative interviews commenced in November 2023 with volunteer participants who initially completed the survey. Data analysis of quantitative data will be completed first, and then synthesised with the qualitative data analysis. Qualitative data will be analysed using the Framework method. This study will use joint displays to integrate the data. Ethics: Ethical approval has been granted from Staffordshire University’s ethics committee.