The role of podiatry in the early identification and prevention of lower limb venous disease: an ethnographic study

BACKGROUND

Lower limb venous disease can cause significant pain, loss of mobility, and can be detrimental to an individual's quality of life. Manifestations of venous disease often pose a substantially negative impact on patients and place a high demand on finite healthcare resources. Whilst this problem is internationally recognised, most research and discourse has predominantly focussed on treatment of leg ulceration and prevention of recurrence. Prevention of lower limb venous disease progression to the first ulceration has received far less attention. Overall, the care of this condition appears to rest in the domain of medicine and nursing yet podiatry, a profession with responsibility for the lower limb and foot, is conspicuous by its absence from the literature.  METHODS: An ethnographic approach was used to gather data from 26 participants through observation, semi-structured interviews, and a focus group interview. Qualitative analysis was conducted using the framework approach.

RESULTS

The findings revealed an identity crisis within the podiatry profession. Evidence emerged of ritual and routine practices that did not include lower limb venous disease. External control over practice limited the professional autonomy of podiatrists determining their own activities. Inter-professional relationships with nursing, and perceptions of boundaries that venous disease was a nursing role were also found to be limiting factors.

CONCLUSIONS

This research revealed that podiatry does not occupy a substantive role in contributing to the early identification and prevention of lower limb venous disease. Policy, education, research and practice changes are all required to enhance the contribution of podiatry to reduce the burden of this disease.

The epidemiology of lower extremity amputations, strategies for amputation prevention, and the importance of patient-centered care

Dysvascular amputations, defined as those secondary to the complications of peripheral arterial disease or diabetes mellitus, are the most common cause of lower extremity amputations. Despite recent advancements in diabetes mellitus treatments and the many modern innovations in endovascular therapies, the incidence of dysvascular lower extremity amputations has not improved. In this article, we will review the most recent epidemiological data on lower extremity amputations, discuss the latest recommendations from different medical societies for the prevention of limb loss, and explore the role of the vascular surgeon as part of a multidisciplinary team in providing comprehensive care for patients at risk of undergoing amputations for ischemic or diabetic complications. We will also discuss the importance of considering patient perspectives and patient-reported outcomes to better understand the impact of amputations on the patient experience.