Knowledge of the diabetic foot in physicianin training in the city of Medellín

Abstract

Justification: The diabetic foot is the cause of up to 85% of non-traumatic amputations, leading to major disabilities. Therefore, health personnel must be trained for the early recognition of this condition, as well as for the adequate treatment. We set out to identify the knowledge that doctors in training of the last year of the medical degree of the University of Antioquia have for the evaluation of the diabetic foot, as well as for the stratification of the risk of amputation. Methods: Participants were medical students of the last year in the University of Antioquia, whom were asked a self-monitoring questionnaire that consisted of 22 questions about knowledge on evaluation and stratification of the risk of amputation in patients with diabetic foot. Results: There were 148 participants. In general, knowledge about risk assessment and stratification is low. Seventeen percent of the participants know how to perform the monofilament test and 22.3% know how to interpret it. There is also a lack of knowledge about the risk factors for amputation; only 20.9% of the respondents demonstrate knowledge of the subject. Conclusion: The level of knowledge about diabetic foot, its diagnosis and risk stratification is low in the study participants. The foregoing indicates that last-year medical students at the University of Antioquia have superficial information on the subject, which can lead to a delay in the diagnosis and implementation of timely treatment.

Keywords

• amputation
• diabetic foot
• knowledge