The feasibility of a social media-based foot self-management education and support program for adults with diabetes: A partially randomized preference trial.

Aim: To assess the feasibility of Diabetic Foot Care Group (DFCG), a social media-based self-management education and support intervention, for people with diabetes (PWD) empowerment in diabetes-related foot ulceration prevention. Methods: A partially randomized preference trial was conducted among 32 PWD. DFCG was implemented through Facebook. Participants in the intervention group joined the DFCG in addition to their usual care, while the control group received usual care. Data were collected online using questionnaires on participants' DFCG acceptance, engagement and preliminary efficacy on nine diabetes foot care-related outcomes at baseline, one, and three months post-intervention. Results: The participants' study intervention acceptability and engagement rates were 84.2% and 55.2%, respectively. DFCG efficacy rate compared to usual care was 88.9% to 22.2%. Three diabetes foot care-related outcomes increased significantly in the intervention group three-month post-intervention: foot self-care adherence (p = 0.001, ηp 2 = 0.35), preventive foot self-care practice (p = 0.002, ηp 2 = 0.33), and physical health status (p < 0.02, ηp 2 = 0.23). Conclusion: DFCG is feasible and could effectively improve diabetes foot care-related outcomes. Innovation: Social media is an innovative approach healthcare professionals could utilize to virtually support PWD in ongoing learning and engagement in optimal foot self-care activities. Trial registration: ClinicalTrials.gov, Identifier: NCT04395521.

Use of Information Communication Technology Tools in Diabetic Foot Ulcer Prevention Programs: A Scoping Review.

BACKGROUND: Information communication technology (ICT) tools are an integral part of day-to-day human activities. However, evidence of how ICT tools are used to engage individuals with diabetes to prevent diabetic foot ulcers (DFUs) is limited. In this review, we summarize the evidence on ICT tools used in DFU prevention programs and associated outcomes. METHODS: We conducted a scoping review of the literature based on the Arksey and O'Malley methodologic framework. Four databases (MEDLINE, Embase, PsycINFO and CINAHL) were searched from 1960 to 2020 using keywords. Two reviewers independently screened the articles and performed data extraction and summarization. RESULTS: Seventeen of 312 articles screened met the inclusion criteria and were included in the final analysis. Eleven ICT tools were utilized in 4 types of intervention: patient education, multidimensional foot health programs, remote temperature monitoring and pressure-sensitive insole systems. The identified ICT tools were used for presenting educational information, follow-up reinforcement of education, counselling, self-monitoring, remote patient monitoring by health-care professionals, self-care reminders, problem-solving, motivation and communication. In 59% of the studies, the interventions led to a significant reduction in recurrence of DFUs, improvement in self-care behaviour and cognition, and reduction of risk factors. CONCLUSIONS: This review provides insight into a range of ICT tools used in DFU prevention programs. The findings suggest that interventions involving 1 or more ICT tools are often effective in improving diabetic foot care-related outcomes. Therefore, DFU prevention programs should include ICT tools among their components.

Including the Excluded in Antenatal Care: A Systematic Review of Concerns for D/deaf Pregnant Women.

This paper presents global evidence derived from a systematic review of the literature on the issues of D/deaf pregnant women and antenatal care. A comprehensive search through four bibliographic databases identified a dataset of 10,375 academic papers, from which six papers met the inclusion criteria for in-depth analysis related to D/deaf pregnant women's use of antenatal care/clinics. Findings from the analysis revealed four major concerns for D/deaf pregnant women who attended antenatal clinics for care. These concerns were communication difficulties, satisfaction with antenatal care services, attendance at antenatal clinics, and associated health outcomes. Based on the identified issues and concerns, it is recommended that pre- and in-service healthcare workers should be trained on how to communicate through sign language with their D/deaf patients. In addition, there is a need to rapidly expand the body of knowledge on the issues concerning antenatal care for D/deaf pregnant women vis-à-vis their relationship with healthcare workers in antenatal facilities.