CASE STUDY: EVIDENCE-BASED INTERVENTIONS ENHANCING DIABETIC FOOT CARE BEHAVIORS AMONG HOSPITALIZED DM PATIENTS
ABSTRACT: Improving diabetic
patients’ foot care behaviors is one of the most effective strategies in
minimizing diabetic foot ulceration and its further negative impacts, either in
diabetic hospitalized patients or outpatients.
Purpose: To describe foot care knowledge and behaviors among hospitalized
diabetic patients, to apply selected foot care knowledge and behaviors
improvement evidence, and to evaluate its effectiveness.
Method: Four diabetic patients who were under our care for at least three
days and could communicate in Thai language were selected from a surgical ward
in a university hospital. The authors applied educational program based on
patients’ learning needs, provided diabetic foot care leaflet, and assisted
patients to set their goal and action plans. In the third day of treatment, we
evaluated patients’ foot care knowledge and their goal and action plan
statements in improving foot care behaviors.
Result: Based on the data collected among four hospitalized diabetic
patients, it was shown that all patients needed foot care behaviors improvement
and the educational program improved hospitalized patients’ foot care knowledge
and their perceived foot care behaviors. The educational program that combined
with goal setting and action plans method was easy, safe, and seemed feasibly
applicable for diabetic hospitalized patients.
Conclusion: The results of this study provide valuable information for
improvement of hospitalized diabetic patients’ foot care knowledge and
behaviors. The authors recommend nurses to use this evidence-based practice to
contribute in improving the quality of diabetic care.
Author: Titis Kurniawan,
Wongchan Petpichetchian
Journal Code: jpkeperawatangg110005
