Diabetes foot education: An evidence-based study in long-term care

As the prevalence of diabetes continues to rise, it is imperative to provide healthcare professionals with the training they need to manage the disease and to prevent complications. However, preventive care of foot problems can be particularly challenging in the long-term care (LTC) population. In this article, the authors describe a study that evaluated the efficacy of an evidence-based program for training nurses in LTC facilities that had two objectives: (1) to increase the knowledge and skills of nurses about foot care in residents with diabetes to prevent and manage diabetic foot lesions; and (2) to encourage nurses to incorporate regular foot examinations in clinical practice. The results of the study show that implementation of the training program can heighten awareness of the barriers involved when executing quality improvement initiatives in LTC environments.