The impact of community teaching sessions on onward referral to specialist diabetic foot services

Abstract

Introduction: Prompt referral of patients with diabetic foot ulceration (DFU) to specialist services can lead to more timely assessment of these patients and subsequent improved rates of limb salvage and patient outcomes. In this study we wanted to determine the impact of education in the primary care setting on onward referrals to our specialist Diabetic Foot multi-disciplinary team (MDT) clinic.

Methods: As part of a Diabetic Foot Roadshow, four teaching sessions were delivered in primary care settings across Shropshire by our specialist team from 17th March to the 25th May 2022. Attendees included podiatrists, tissue viability nurses, district nurses and wound care practitioners. Hospital records were used to identify all onward referrals to our Diabetic Foot MDT clinic in the weeks before and after delivery of the roadshow education sessions.

Results: 184 referrals were made to the diabetic foot clinic from January to July 2022. There were 0.3 referrals per day in the months prior to the commencement of the education sessions, compared to 1.5 referrals per day following the commencement of the teaching sessions. This increase in referrals was statistically significant (p < 0.0001).

Conclusion: Teaching sessions delivered to community specialist healthcare professionals significantly increase onward referral of patients to specialist services, facilitating more timely assessment and management of patients with DFUs.

Keywords: Diabetic foot disease; Diabetic foot ulcers; Referrals; Specialist services; Teaching.