Priority 23 from the Foot Health PSP

UNCERTAINTY: What are the most effective ways to enable people to care for their feet?  (JLA PSP Priority 23)
Overall ranking 23
JLA question ID 0092/23
Explanatory note This researchable question was very focused upon enabling people with foot problems to engage effectively in self-management. Although some research exists (mostly in relation to the management of diabetes related foot problems) about methods for improving self-care practices, the studies are of poorer methodological quality and some studies are not directly foothealth related. It is known that behavioural Health education programmes have the potential to improve knowledge about foot health and modify foot health related behaviours, however understanding how this works in the context of a wider range of patient groups with foot related pathology is not known nor the most effective methods by which postively influencing foot health behaviour can be achieved or its longer term impact.     
Evidence

Int J Older People Nurs. 2016 Sep;11(3):214-39. doi: 10.1111/opn.12112. Epub 2016 Feb 25. Health education programmes to improve foot self-care practices and foot problems among older people with diabetes: a systematic review. Ahmad Sharoni SK(1)(2), Minhat HS(2), Mohd Zulkefli NA(2), Baharom A(2). Verbal and written information and discussion improve foot related self-care and problems. Further evaluation required due to concerns re: studies methodological quality.                               
JBI Database System Rev Implement Rep. 2016 Jan;14(1):210-47. doi:10.11124/jbisrir-2016-2296.The effectiveness of the teach-back method on adherence and self-management in health education for people with chronic disease: a systematic review. Ha Dinh TT(1), Bonner A, Clark R, Ramsbotham J, Hines S. This review is not directly foot health related, but method of education may be appropriate. Not able to access full text. 
Health Research Classification System category Generic health relevance 
Extra information provided by this PSP
Original uncertainty examples What can we do to encourage people to talk about their foot health to people that can either help or point in the right direction? ~ What methods and strategies can we use for patients to self care? ~ how do we get patients to understand their role in preventing foot problems? ~ Does a lack of patient engagement with foot health lead to poorer complication outcomes?
Submitted by Healthcare Professional x 13, Patient x 6
PSP information
PSP unique ID 0092
PSP name Foot Health
Total number of uncertainties identified by this PSP. 30  (To see a full list of all uncertainties identified, please see the detailed spreadsheet held on the JLA website)
Date of priority setting workshop 26 September 2019