Patient Preference and Adherence (Dec 2023)
Patients’ Expectations of Evidence-Based Service at the Pharmacy Regarding Information on Self-Care of the Feet for Persons with Diabetes at Risk of Developing Foot Ulcers – A Cross-Sectional Observational Study in Sweden
Abstract
Ulla Hellstrand Tang,1,2 Isabella Scandurra,3 Leif Sundberg,4 Magdalena Annersten Gershater,5 Roland Zügner2 1Department of Prosthetics and Orthotics, Sahlgrenska University Hospital, Gothenburg, Sweden; 2Department of Orthopaedics, Institute of Clinical Sciences, Sahlgrenska Academy,University of Gothenburg, Sahlgrenska University Hospital, Gothenburg, Sweden; 3Centre of Empirical Research in Information Systems, Örebro University, Örebro, Sweden; 4Gothenburg Diabetes Association, Gothenburg, Sweden; 5Department of Care Science, Faculty of Health and Society, Malmö University, Malmö, SwedenCorrespondence: Ulla Hellstrand Tang, Department of Prosthetics and Orthotics, Sahlgrenska University Hospital, Falkenbergsgatan 3, Gothenburg, SE-412 85, Sweden, Tel +46 70 6397913, Fax +46 31 40 81 62, Email [email protected]: Self-care of the feet is one of the cornerstones in the prevention of diabetic foot ulcers (DFU). Often, individuals with diabetes seek help at the pharmacy, but it is still unclear whether the service meets their expectations and needs. The aims were to explore patients’ expectations of support from the pharmacy regarding self-care of their feet and explore how patients with diabetes felt that they managed the self-care of their feet.Patients and Methods: The included participants (n = 17), aged 70 ± 9 years, answered surveys regarding their expectations of support from the pharmacy related to self-care of the feet and how they felt that they managed the self-care of their feet. By using software, MyFoot Diabetes, they assessed their risk of developing DFU (ranging from 1 = no risk to 4 = DFU). In addition, a healthcare professional assessed the risk grade.Results: Sixteen patients had not received any information from the pharmacy regarding how to take care of their feet. Several suggestions for ways the pharmacy could help patients with diabetes to take care of their feet were registered. They included having the necessary skills and competence, giving advice regarding self-care, giving information regarding the products they market and have for sale and giving advice on ointments/creams. The participants gave several examples of how they self-managed their feet: by wearing shoes indoors and outdoors, wearing socks and compression stockings as often as possible, being physically active, inspecting their feet, being aware of the fact that their feet have no problems, washing, moisturising their feet, cutting their nails and finally seeking help to prevent DFU.Conclusion: The participants thought that they should receive competent information from the personnel at the pharmacy to improve the self-care of their feet, eg, being given information about which ointments/creams to use.Clinical Trial: NCT05692778.Plain Language Summary: Persons living with diabetes have better opportunities to be physically active, keep on walking and participate in social activity if the feet are in good health. Besides getting support from healthcare, on how to promote good foot health, the pharmacies offer services and products aimed for self-care of the feet. Seventeen persons living with diabetes in the western region of Sweden answered a survey regarding their expectations of support from the pharmacy related to self-care of the feet and how they felt that they managed the self-care of their feet. The study found that persons living with diabetes self-managed their feet in different ways. The services being available from the pharmacies should be improved, promoting good foot health for persons living with diabetes, and in its prolongation prevent the development of diabetic foot ulcers.Keywords: diabetic foot, prevention, diabetes type 1, diabetes type 2, self-care, self-management, self-monitoring
