Diabetic Foot Care Knowledge and Self-Management Practices
Summary
Diabetic foot complications represent a major global health challenge, contributing substantially to morbidity, diminished quality of life and healthcare expenditure. Preventing foot ulcers and subsequent amputations hinges on patients’ understanding of foot care principles and their ability to carry out daily self-management tasks. Core practices include regular inspection of skin integrity, appropriate bathing and drying of the feet, correct trimming of nails, selection of suitable footwear and prompt reporting of any lesions or sensory changes. Effective self-management is shaped by individual knowledge, self-efficacy and psychosocial factors such as diabetes-related distress and family support, as well as by external determinants including socioeconomic status, cultural beliefs and access to specialist services.
Education forms the foundation of risk reduction, with structured programmes delivered by multidisciplinary teams—podiatrists, nurses and endocrinologists—shown to enhance adherence to foot care regimens. Emerging technologies such as infrared thermography offer non-invasive screening for early detection of hotspots that precede ulceration. Preventive strategies also integrate regular risk stratification, peripheral neuropathy screening and vascular assessment. Tailored interventions that address language, literacy and cultural barriers, together with digital tools for remote monitoring and tele-health consultations, are poised to extend reach into underserved communities. Collaborative models that engage patients, caregivers and primary care providers are essential to embed foot care within routine diabetes management and to sustain protective behaviours over the long term.
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Diabetic Foot Care Knowledge and Self-Management Practices publication trend
The graph below shows the total number of articles in diabetic foot care knowledge and self-management practices across all publications each year (not limited to Nature Index journals).
Technical terms
Diabetic foot ulcer: A chronic wound on the foot in a person with diabetes, often precipitated by neuropathy or poor circulation.
Peripheral neuropathy: Nerve damage in the extremities that leads to loss of sensation, increasing risk of unnoticed injury.
Self-management: Patient-led activities and decisions that maintain health and prevent complications, including foot care routines.
Glycaemic control: Regulation of blood glucose levels within a target range to minimise microvascular and macrovascular complications.
Podiatry: The medical speciality concerned with diagnosis, treatment and prevention of conditions affecting the foot and lower limb.
References
- Foot care behaviours and associated factors among patients with type 2 diabetes: A cross-sectional study. Journal of Global Health (2024).
- Diabetic Foot Assessment and Care: Barriers and Facilitators in a Cross-Sectional Study in Bangalore, India. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health (2023).
- Diabetic foot care: knowledge and practice. BMC Endocrine Disorders (2020).
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