Clinical audit of core podiatry treatment in the NHS

Abstract

Background: Core podiatry involves treatment of the nails, corns and callus and also giving footwear and foot health advice. Though it is an integral part of current podiatric practice little evidence is available to support its efficacy in terms of research and audit data. This information is important in order to support the current NHS commissioning process where services are expected to provide data on standards including outcomes. This study aimed to increase the evidence base for this area of practice by conducting a multi-centre audit in 8 NHS podiatry departments over a 1-year period.

Chronic foot pain in older people

“…Maintenance of foot hygiene and treatment of toenails and keratotic lesions in older people accounts for a substantial proportion of a podiatrist's workload. Clinical audits have shown that regular podiatry treatment can maintain or improve foot health in older people [45] and that discharge from podiatry services may result in a subsequent deterioration in foot health and mobility in this age-group [46]. Difficulty cutting toenails is common in older people, as it requires not only adequate joint flexibility, but also a high level of manual dexterity and visual acuity; all of which may decline with age.…”

Measures of foot function, foot health, and foot pain: American Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons Lower Limb Outcomes Assessment: Foot and Ankle Module (AAOS‐FAM), Bristol Foot Score (BFS), Revised Foot Function Index (FFI‐R), Foot Health Status Questionnaire (FHSQ), Manchester Foot Pain and Disability Index (MFPDI), Podiatric Health Questionnaire (PHQ), and Rowan Foot Pain Assessment (ROFPAQ)

“…PHQ has been used in podiatric patient populations with various foot ailments and systemic diseases, such as rheumatoid arthritis and diabetes (47, 48).…”

Attitude and knowledge about foot health: a spanish view

“…In this regard, the attitudinal and normative dimensions play a significant role in the interpretation of human behavior vis-à-vis foot health 22 . The participants in this study reveal the existence of real needs to visit a podiatrist and a demand for foot check-ups by a foot health professional, since it enables people to acquire the confidence and self-assurance needed to maintain their individual foot health and contribute to an improvement in underlying diseases and their general state of health, thereby helping them to lead a healthy life and avoid situations of dependency.…”