My Foot Card

Abstract

Purpose: The diabetes centre staff at Annapolis Community Health Centre identified the need for a tool with a 3-fold purpose:1. To promote patient awareness of foot risk 2. To improve self-care of feet as it relates to foot risk 3. To improve communication regarding foot risk assessment among the various healthcare providers who are managing the patient Method: The diabetes centre staff and a multidisciplinary team designed "My Foot Card", a wallet-sized patient-held card and satisfaction surveys for patient and team members. The card is double sided containing the date, foot risk and provider who performed the foot assessment, on the front. The back of the card outlines the 3 categories of foot risk, frequency of foot assessment required for that category and patient self-care related to that risk. The "My Foot Card" was trialed for 6 months. Surveys were conducted.Results Observed: Results of patient surveyd69% could locate the card;18% showed the card to other providers; 64% used correct terminology to describe their foot risk category and 70% correctly identified when the next foot assessment was due.Results of team surveyd100% of providers will use the "My Foot Card". Providers using the card spent more time educating regarding implications of foot risk categories and reviewing foot care. Conclusions: The "My Foot Card" is a simple, cost-effective tool that promotes self-care as it relates to foot risk. It is also a communication tool among care providers. The card also promotes consistent messaging and avoids duplication of services.