DOHA: Each diabetes patient being treated at Hamad Medical Corporation (HMC) is scheduled for a complete foot exam at least once a year, and more frequently if the patient experiences foot problems. During check-ups, patients are educated on how to examine their feet.
Professor Abdul-Badi Abou-Samra, Chairman, Internal Medicine, is advising diabetics to ensure they take care of their feet and said practising proper foot care is a crucial part of successful diabetes management.
“Members of our specialist multidisciplinary care team instruct patients on the importance of checking their feet every day.
“Examining bare feet for red spots, cuts, swelling and blisters is an important part of successful diabetes management. If a patient is unable to see the bottoms of their feet, they are advised to use a mirror or ask someone for help,” said Professor Abou-Samra.
Diabetes can reduce blood supply to the feet and cause a loss of sensation known as peripheral neuropathy. This can mean foot injuries do not heal well and diabetics may not notice if their foot is sore or injured.
They are also at an increased risk of poor blood circulation and poor healing of ulcers, both contributing to high amputation rates among diabetics.
“Patients deemed to be at high risk of recurrent ulceration or other foot injuries are scheduled for a more extensive evaluation. Many patients are provided with therapeutic shoes to prevent complications, such as strain and calluses,” said Professor Abou-Samra.
Foot exams test for loss of feeling by checking touch, temperature, pain and other sensations. Patients who show signs of peripheral neuropathy are immediately referred to a podiatrist, specialist podiatry nurse or podiatry technician for a more comprehensive examination.
Professor Abou-Samra said: “For diabetics, careful examination of the feet, at least once a day, is essential. Diabetic neuropathy doesn’t emerge overnight. It usually develops slowly and worsens over time.
“Early identification of foot problems and early intervention to prevent problems from worsening can avert many amputations. Amputation is always the last resort. Good foot care, which includes daily self-examinations, is an essential part of diabetes management.
“Pain is not a reliable symptom in diabetics, as many lose sensation to pain and could have advanced foot lesion without knowing about it,” he added.
Diabetics are also advised to keep feet clean and free from infection, wear shoes that fit well, avoid walking barefoot and, most importantly, seek treatment from their physician or podiatrist if foot blisters or injuries do not heal quickly.
Professor Abou-Samra stressed the importance of treating ulcers within 24 hours.
The Peninsula
DOHA: Improving physicians’ adherence helps encourage diabetics to get vaccination in primary care, according to a recent study.
The study on ‘Improving physicians’ adherence to complete vaccination schedule for type 2 diabetes patients attending NCD clinics at West Bay health centre,’ has also found that physicians’ intervention in the form of nurse education and physician orient improve vaccination for patients in primary care.
Diabetics have a higher risk of complications from influenza and pneumococcal and form an important target group for immunisation as incomplete vaccine patients are at risk of serious diseases. The study aimed to improve physicians’ adherence to completing the vaccination schedule for type 2 diabetics attending Non-Communicable Disease (NCD) clinics at West Bay Health Centre in accordance with American Diabetes Association (ADA) and Primary Healthcare Corporation (PHCC) recommendations.
The objective was to raise physicians’ adherence by 25 percent from January 2015, according to a poster presentation at Primary Healthcare Corporation Scientific Research Day 2015 recently.
Pre-intervention (baseline) data was collected, followed by a session to identify causes of non-adherence. A survey questionnaire was given to physicians at NCD clinics to ascertain individuals’ perceptions and prioritisation of causes was done by employing Paretto’s rule.
During intervention, ADA and PHCC recommendations for complete vaccination reminder posters were provided in the clinic waiting area, nurses’ station and consulting rooms. The pilot study form was attached to the NCD form for physicians to complete and post-intervention audit cycles were done to check adherence.
At baseline, only 20 percent of physicians adhered to complete vaccination schedule. The causes for the problem identified were, lack of awareness of recommended vaccinations; and no specific form or item in the NCD progress notes about vaccinations: among others.
The percentage of complete vaccination among diabetics increased from 20 percent to 58 following intervention.
The study suggested that intervention in the form of nurse education and physician orientation improve vaccination for diabetics in primary care.
The Peninsula
DOHA: Each diabetes patient being treated at Hamad Medical Corporation (HMC) is scheduled for a complete foot exam at least once a year, and more frequently if the patient experiences foot problems. During check-ups, patients are educated on how to examine their feet.
Professor Abdul-Badi Abou-Samra, Chairman, Internal Medicine, is advising diabetics to ensure they take care of their feet and said practising proper foot care is a crucial part of successful diabetes management.
“Members of our specialist multidisciplinary care team instruct patients on the importance of checking their feet every day.
“Examining bare feet for red spots, cuts, swelling and blisters is an important part of successful diabetes management. If a patient is unable to see the bottoms of their feet, they are advised to use a mirror or ask someone for help,” said Professor Abou-Samra.
Diabetes can reduce blood supply to the feet and cause a loss of sensation known as peripheral neuropathy. This can mean foot injuries do not heal well and diabetics may not notice if their foot is sore or injured.
They are also at an increased risk of poor blood circulation and poor healing of ulcers, both contributing to high amputation rates among diabetics.
“Patients deemed to be at high risk of recurrent ulceration or other foot injuries are scheduled for a more extensive evaluation. Many patients are provided with therapeutic shoes to prevent complications, such as strain and calluses,” said Professor Abou-Samra.
Foot exams test for loss of feeling by checking touch, temperature, pain and other sensations. Patients who show signs of peripheral neuropathy are immediately referred to a podiatrist, specialist podiatry nurse or podiatry technician for a more comprehensive examination.
Professor Abou-Samra said: “For diabetics, careful examination of the feet, at least once a day, is essential. Diabetic neuropathy doesn’t emerge overnight. It usually develops slowly and worsens over time.
“Early identification of foot problems and early intervention to prevent problems from worsening can avert many amputations. Amputation is always the last resort. Good foot care, which includes daily self-examinations, is an essential part of diabetes management.
“Pain is not a reliable symptom in diabetics, as many lose sensation to pain and could have advanced foot lesion without knowing about it,” he added.
Diabetics are also advised to keep feet clean and free from infection, wear shoes that fit well, avoid walking barefoot and, most importantly, seek treatment from their physician or podiatrist if foot blisters or injuries do not heal quickly.
Professor Abou-Samra stressed the importance of treating ulcers within 24 hours.
The Peninsula
DOHA: Improving physicians’ adherence helps encourage diabetics to get vaccination in primary care, according to a recent study.
The study on ‘Improving physicians’ adherence to complete vaccination schedule for type 2 diabetes patients attending NCD clinics at West Bay health centre,’ has also found that physicians’ intervention in the form of nurse education and physician orient improve vaccination for patients in primary care.
Diabetics have a higher risk of complications from influenza and pneumococcal and form an important target group for immunisation as incomplete vaccine patients are at risk of serious diseases. The study aimed to improve physicians’ adherence to completing the vaccination schedule for type 2 diabetics attending Non-Communicable Disease (NCD) clinics at West Bay Health Centre in accordance with American Diabetes Association (ADA) and Primary Healthcare Corporation (PHCC) recommendations.
The objective was to raise physicians’ adherence by 25 percent from January 2015, according to a poster presentation at Primary Healthcare Corporation Scientific Research Day 2015 recently.
Pre-intervention (baseline) data was collected, followed by a session to identify causes of non-adherence. A survey questionnaire was given to physicians at NCD clinics to ascertain individuals’ perceptions and prioritisation of causes was done by employing Paretto’s rule.
During intervention, ADA and PHCC recommendations for complete vaccination reminder posters were provided in the clinic waiting area, nurses’ station and consulting rooms. The pilot study form was attached to the NCD form for physicians to complete and post-intervention audit cycles were done to check adherence.
At baseline, only 20 percent of physicians adhered to complete vaccination schedule. The causes for the problem identified were, lack of awareness of recommended vaccinations; and no specific form or item in the NCD progress notes about vaccinations: among others.
The percentage of complete vaccination among diabetics increased from 20 percent to 58 following intervention.
The study suggested that intervention in the form of nurse education and physician orientation improve vaccination for diabetics in primary care.
The Peninsula
