Date of Graduation
Spring 5-31-2022
Document Type
Project
Degree Name
Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP)
College/School
School of Nursing and Health Professions
Department/Program
Nursing
Program
Family Nurse Practitioner
First Advisor
Dr. Jo Ann Loomis
Second Advisor
Dr. Elena A. Capella
Abstract
Abstract
Background
Healthcare professionals (HCPs) have a key responsibility in delivering preventative and early intervention diabetes foot management within primary care. Diabetic foot ulcers (DFUs) are a major complication of diabetes and can lead to amputations and other wound issues.
Comprehensive care and treatment of diabetes are most effective when patients can access a supportive connection with providers. Before the pandemic, there were many reasons to utilize a technology-based distance approach to health care. The coronavirus pandemic in 2019 prompted additional reasons for the transition to distant care.
Problem
The yearly screening of a virtual foot exam on patients with diabetes in the intervention clinic setting had been held since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Methods
A pre-and post-assessment survey and the educational module were created and distributed to 11 HCPs of the clinic. Surveys were completed by four HCPs.
Interventions
The HCPs were instructed through an asynchronous educational module. A foot care educational handout was selected and submitted to the clinic to send to the patients. A reminder flag at the electronic chart of diabetic patients was designed to prompt the practitioners when foot screenings were due.
Results
The confidence level of the HCPs to perform virtual screening of DFUs increased from 75% to 93.75%. The rate of practitioners’ willingness to perform online screening of DFUs was the same at pre-and post-instructional surveys (93.75%). The rates of passing on the foot care educational pamphlet to diabetic patients and documenting diabetic foot screening in the EHR were raised from 62.50% to 93.75%.
Conclusions
Continuing a diabetic foot care program in an online primary care clinic is possible and can improve the quality of diabetic foot care.
Recommended Citation
Naderi Asiabar, Zahra, "Implementing a Diabetic Foot Care Program in a Virtual Primary Care Clinic" (2022). Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) Projects. 288.
https://repository.usfca.edu/dnp/288
