Is Educational Fundamental to the Prevention of Diabetic Foot Ulcers
“Is education fundamental to the prevention of diabetic foot ulcers?” This question was developed using the PICO framework (appendix one). Diabetes is a chronic condition that can have debilitating consequences that can seriously affect a patient’s lifestyle and their contribution to social gain according to the Department of Health and Children (D.O.H.C.) (2008). It is increasing at a rapid rate which is highlighted by The Institute of Public Health (2010) who state that the number of diabetics in Ireland will rise from 143,000 to 194,000 by the year 2015. This will result with more patients presenting with diabetic foot ulcers. Clair (2011) states, that one third of all diabetics are at risk of developing a diabetic foot ulcer and that between seventy to ninety percent of lower limb amputations are preceded by complication. This paper also revealed that every thirty seconds somewhere in the world a lower limb is amputated due to diabetes. The question for this assignment is focused in trying to establish if education is a tool that could aid in prevention of this complication. From clinical experience the author has noticed that when diabetics are on a ward it is mostly their blood sugars that are assessed and for which education is provided, with little regard for the patient’s feet.
The five articles that were researched for this assignment contained two meta-analysis studies, 2 systematic reviews and a qualitative study. These articles were sourced from the CINAHL data base and the Cochrane data base of systematic reviews. All of these studies were published within the past five years and can be regarded as current up to date best evidence. The methodology used by these studies includes interviews, random standardised trials and literature reviews. The patients that were participants in these trials were primarily type two diabetics. There was no discrimination relating to the gender or age of the patient. However, most patients were over 50 yrs of age. The
The five articles that were researched for this assignment contained two meta-analysis studies, 2 systematic reviews and a qualitative study. These articles were sourced from the CINAHL data base and the Cochrane data base of systematic reviews. All of these studies were published within the past five years and can be regarded as current up to date best evidence. The methodology used by these studies includes interviews, random standardised trials and literature reviews. The patients that were participants in these trials were primarily type two diabetics. There was no discrimination relating to the gender or age of the patient. However, most patients were over 50 yrs of age. The