Agreement of foot examination between diabetic patient and medical personnel in diabetic foot clinic, Songkhla hospital

Abstract

Research title:   Agreement of foot examination between diabetic patient and medical personnel in diabetic foot clinic, Songkhla hospital

Name:              Duangthida Rattanapong, M.D.     

Institute:           Songkhla hospital

Advisor:             Issariya Chaliewsak, M.D.        

Background:      Diabetic foot is a one of the most common and severe complication and causes of foot/leg amputations which decreased quality of life and lifespan of diabetic patient. One of the most common problems in general practice care is foot examination in diabetic patients. Many of diabetic patients hadn’t participated in hospital diabetic foot examination program and had also performed self-foot examination inaccurately. As a result, they lost their chances to receive proper foot examination and correct knowledges about diabetic foot care. This study was conducted to assess either agreement of foot examination between diabetic patient and medical personnel or knowledge of diabetic foot care in diabetic patients. The results will be a guide for medical personnel to give relevant advice about foot care and emphasize common unnoticeable characteristics in self-foot examination.

Objectives:        To assess agreement of foot examination between diabetic patient and medical personnel

Methods:          A cross-sectional descriptive study conducted during 15 August 2021 – 14 August 2022 at diabetic foot clinic, Songkhla hospital. 45 diabetic patients were assessed by a questionnaire which consisted of 3 parts: demographic data, foot examination data and knowledge of diabetic foot care.

Results:             The agreement of foot examination between diabetic patient and physician was different. The substantial agreement was found in the examination of long nail, thin skin, cracked skin and wound. The moderate agreement was found in the examination of normal skin, dry skin, callus, hammer toe and hallux valgus. The fair agreement was found in the examination of dark skin, normal nail and onycholysis. The slight agreement was found in the examination of thick nail, paronychia, claw toe, hallux varus, Charcot foot, pes cavus and flat feet. The poor agreement was found in the examination of hair loss. Part of the knowledge of diabetic foot care found that all the patients know that they must not smoking and care the wound immediately. The most misunderstanding knowledge was they can soak their feet in water or warm water.

Conclusion:       The level of agreement of foot examination between diabetic patient and physician was substantial in the appearances which were obvious and easily to notice when it happened. This level was found in the examination of long nail, thin skin, cracked skin and wound. In contrast, the level of agreement was slight or poor in the appearances which were obscure, hardly to notice, or congenital abnormalities. Slight-level was found in the examination of thick nail, paronychia, claw toe, hallux varus, Charcot foot, pes cavus and flat feet. Poor-level was found in the examination of hair loss. Part of knowledge of diabetic foot care found that many patients didn’t know that they can’t soak their feet in water or warm water and they must apply lotion after shower in the morning and night. The results will be a guide for medical personnel to give relevant advice about foot care and emphasize common unnoticeable characteristics in self-foot examination.