Assessing the need for a standardised paediatric assessment tool for podiatrists in South Africa.

There is no literature to support the existence of an effective standardised assessment tool in South Africa that aids the podiatrist in the early diagnosis of developmental delay in the paediatric patient from age one to five. Podiatrists in South Africa (SA) need a suitable assessment tool to evaluate child development. A potential proforma that could be used by South African podiatrists is the Gait and Lower Limb Observation Proforma (GALLOP) Assessment Tool. AIM: The aim of this research was to evaluate the "ease of use" and "usefulness" of the GALLOP Assessment Tool for podiatrists to effectively assess the paediatric patient from age one to age five. METHODS: The study was of a mixed methods descriptive design type, targeting all Health Professions Council of South Africa (HPCSA) registered podiatrists in the Johannesburg Metropolitan Municipal area. After allowing the participants to use the GALLOP Assessment Tool for a period of time, a survey was conducted to establish the "ease of use" and "usefulness" of the GALLOP Assessment Tool. RESULTS: All participants agreed that the GALLOP Assessment Tool would be beneficial to South African podiatrists and that the assessment tool does not need to be improved upon.

The Effects of Blue Light on Human Fibroblasts and Diabetic Wound Healing.

Diabetes is a serious threat to global health and is among the top 10 causes of death. The Diabetic foot ulcer (DFU) is among the most common and severe complications of the disease. Bacterial infections are common; therefore, timely aggressive management, using multidisciplinary management approaches is needed to prevent complications, morbidity, and mortality, particularly in view of the growing cases of antibiotic-resistant bacteria. Photobiomodulation (PBM) involves the application of low-level light at specific wavelengths to induce cellular photochemical and photophysical responses. Red and near-infrared (NIR) wavelengths have been shown to be beneficial, and recent studies indicate that other wavelengths within the visible spectrum could be helpful as well, including blue light (400-500 nm). Reports of the antimicrobial activity and susceptibility of blue light on several strains of the same bacterium show that many bacteria are less likely to develop resistance to blue light treatment, meaning it is a viable alternative to antibiotic therapy. However, not all studies have shown positive results for wound healing and fibroblast proliferation. This paper presents a critical review of the literature concerning the use of PBM, with a focus on blue light, for tissue healing and diabetic ulcer care, identifies the pros and cons of PBM intervention, and recommends the potential role of PBM for diabetic ulcer care.