Management of Diabetes-Related Foot Ulceration at Two Interdisciplinary Services: A Qualitative Exploration of Patient and Carer Experiences
Summary: A qualitative study by Sarah M. Manewell, Georgina Frank, Vanessa Nube, Hylton B. Menz, Catherine Sherrington, Sarah Dennis, and Serene S. Paul (2025, Wound Practice & Research, Vol. 33, No. 3) explores patient and carer experiences of diabetes-related foot ulcer (DFU) care at two interdisciplinary High Risk Foot Services (HRFS) in Sydney. Through in-depth interviews, the study identifies themes of confidence in care, how care is experienced as comprehensive, and how DFUs are life changing.
Key Highlights:
- Patients and carers valued being “confident in care” — trust in clinicians, clarity of explanations, and feeling heard were all central to positive experiences.
- “Care considered comprehensive” emerged strongly, with subthemes of education (patients appreciated plain language, understanding of their condition, offloading devices, pressure assessment) and complex access (logistics, appointment scheduling, transportation, coordination across teams).
- Participants described DFU as life changing: impacts on mobility, daily tasks, emotional wellbeing, social roles, and identity. Care and living with DFU are deeply intertwined experiences that cannot be separated.
- Barriers exist—patients noted difficulty putting education into practice due to other life demands, safety issues with offloading devices, inconsistent messaging, and challenges in accessing care especially when dependent on support or transport.
- The study suggests early and consistent education, strong communication, care continuity, and addressing practical access issues are critical to improving patient/carer experience and potentially outcomes.
Read the full article in Wound Practice & Research
Keywords:
diabetes-related foot ulceration,
interdisciplinary care,
patient experience,
education benefits,
access challenges,
DFU life changing,
Sarah M. Manewell,
Georgina Frank,
Vanessa Nube,
Hylton B. Menz,
Catherine Sherrington,
Sarah Dennis,
Serene S. Paul