RESUMO
The objective of this study is to describe the composition of multidisciplinary teams (MDT) working within rheumatology departments across the UK. All rheumatology departments in the United Kingdom (UK) were invited to participate in a national electronic survey between February 2014 and April 2015 as a part of a national audit for the management of rheumatoid and early inflammatory arthritis commissioned by Healthcare Quality Improvement Partnership. Rheumatology departments were asked to report their MDT composition; defined as a rheumatologist (consultant or specialist trainee), specialist nurse, occupational therapist physiotherapist, and podiatrist. The data were collected as Whole Time Equivalent (WTE) of each professional group at each department adjusted to 100,000 population. The data were grouped according to British Society for Rheumatology regions to study regional variations. The survey was completed by 164/167 departments (98% response rate). All departments reported an MDT comprising a rheumatologist (consultant or specialist trainee) and almost all included a specialist nurse but only 28 (17%) of the departments had MDTs comprising all the professional groups. There was a high degree of regional variation in the provision of Allied Health Professionals (physiotherapists, occupational therapists, and podiatrists) in the UK. MDT care is recommended for the management of inflammatory arthritis, but few UK rheumatology departments have a full complement of healthcare professionals within their MDT. There is a high degree of regional variation in the composition and staffing levels of the rheumatology MDT across the UK; the impact of which warrants further investigation.
Assuntos
Departamentos Hospitalares/tendências , Equipe de Assistência ao Paciente/tendências , Doenças Reumáticas/terapia , Reumatologia/estatística & dados numéricos , Estudos Transversais , Prestação Integrada de Cuidados de Saúde/tendências , Pesquisas sobre Atenção à Saúde , Disparidades em Assistência à Saúde/tendências , Humanos , Comunicação Interdisciplinar , Auditoria Médica , Enfermeiros Especialistas/tendências , Terapeutas Ocupacionais/tendências , Fisioterapeutas/tendências , Podiatria/tendências , Doenças Reumáticas/diagnóstico , Doenças Reumáticas/fisiopatologia , Reumatologistas/educação , Reumatologistas/tendências , Reino Unido , Recursos HumanosAssuntos
Pé Diabético/diagnóstico , Pé Diabético/terapia , Endocrinologia/tendências , Temperatura Corporal/fisiologia , Análise Custo-Benefício , Pé Diabético/economia , Pé Diabético/epidemiologia , Endocrinologia/métodos , Deformidades Adquiridas do Pé/etiologia , Deformidades Adquiridas do Pé/terapia , Transtornos Neurológicos da Marcha/diagnóstico , Transtornos Neurológicos da Marcha/epidemiologia , Transtornos Neurológicos da Marcha/etiologia , Transtornos Neurológicos da Marcha/terapia , Custos de Cuidados de Saúde , Humanos , Monitorização Fisiológica/métodos , Podiatria/métodos , Podiatria/tendências , Temperatura Cutânea/fisiologiaRESUMO
BACKGROUND: Healthcare aims to promote good health and yet demonstrably contributes to climate change, which is purported to be 'the biggest global health threat of the 21st century'. This is happening now, with healthcare as an industry representing 4.4% of global carbon dioxide emissions. MAIN BODY: Climate change promotes health deficits from many angles; however, primarily it is the use of fossil fuels which increases atmospheric carbon dioxide (also nitrous oxide, and methane). These greenhouse gases prevent the earth from cooling, resulting in the higher temperatures and rising sea levels, which then cause 'wild weather' patterns, including floods, storms, and droughts. Particular vulnerability is afforded to those already health compromised (older people, pregnant women, children, wider health co-morbidities) as well as populations closer to equatorial zones, which encompasses many low-and-middle-income-countries. The paradox here, is that poorer nations by spending less on healthcare, have lower carbon emissions from health-related activity, and yet will suffer most from global warming effects, with scant resources to off-set the increasing health care needs. Global recognition has forged the Paris agreement, the United Nations sustainable developments goals, and the World Health Organisation climate change action plan. It is agreed that most healthcare impact comes from consumption of energy and resources, and the production of greenhouse gases into the environment. Many professional associations of medicine and allied health professionals are advocating for their members to lead on environmental sustainability; the Australian Podiatry Association is incorporating climate change into its strategic direction. CONCLUSION: Podiatrists, as allied health professionals, have wide community engagement, and hence, can model positive environmental practices, which may be effective in changing wider community behaviours, as occurred last century when doctors stopped smoking. As foot health consumers, our patients are increasingly likely to expect more sustainable practices and products, including 'green footwear' options. Green Podiatry, as a part of sustainable healthcare, directs us to be responsible energy and product consumers, and reduce our workplace emissions.
Assuntos
Podiatria/tendências , Desenvolvimento Sustentável/tendências , Pegada de Carbono , Mudança Climática , Humanos , Podiatria/métodosRESUMO
BACKGROUND: A small minority of countries around the globe have podiatry as a recognized profession, hence, there are considerable differences among these countries when it comes to the curricula, the duration of training and legislation regulating the profession. The growth in research led evidence based practice, and the emerging digital landscape of health care practice, occur alongside trends in disease and health behaviours that strongly impact on foot health. As such, the changing complex role of the podiatrist requires critical reflection on current frameworks of practice and whether they are fit for purpose. This commentary presents a conceptual framework which sets the scene for further development of concepts in a podiatry context, reflecting contemporary health care beliefs and the changing expectations of health care and society. The proposed conceptual framework for podiatry practice utilizes the metaphor of an electronic circuit to reflect the vast and complex interconnections between factors that affect practice and professional behaviours. The framework helps in portraying and defining drivers of practice, actual practice as well potential barriers for current and future practice. The circuit emphasis the interconnectedness/interaction of three clusters: 1) internal factors, 2) interaction factors, 3) external factors. CONCLUSION: Whatever promise this new framework holds, it will only be realised through conscious development of community consensus, respectful dialogue, constructive critical appraisal, and maintaining passion and focus on improving the health of people with foot related problems.
Assuntos
Prática Clínica Baseada em Evidências/tendências , Podiatria/tendências , Prática Profissional/tendências , Currículo/tendências , Prática Clínica Baseada em Evidências/educação , Humanos , Podiatria/educaçãoRESUMO
BACKGROUND: Podiatrists, in musculoskeletal services, are demonstrating an expansion of their practice skills through the use of ultrasound imaging. There is an assumption that this practice is beneficial within the context of patient care and health systems. The aim of this research was to further investigate the use of musculoskeletal ultrasound (MSUS) by podiatrists within their clinical setting and gain additional insights into the impact that they perceive use of MSUS has on their approaches to management of musculoskeletal foot and ankle problems. METHOD: An international study utilising a cross-sectional design and an internet-based platform was undertaken. The survey was developed and implemented through three phases: 1. survey development, 2. face validity agreement via questionnaire review, and 3. survey distribution and data collection. Twenty-two survey questions were developed and set as a two-step approach collecting quantitative data (part 1) and qualitative free text data (part 2). Data was exported from SurveyMonkey and analysed using Microsoft Excel software. Counts and frequencies were calculated for responses to all twenty closed questions. Responses to the two final open-ended questions were analysed using thematic analysis to search for patterns related to podiatrists' perceptions of impact. RESULTS: Two hundred and thirty-two eligible participants consented to complete the survey. The majority (n = 159) of respondents were from the UK and Spain. Commonly MSUS has been used in practice for (i) diagnosing pathology, (ii) supporting rehabilitation, (iii) supporting interventions or (iv) research purposes. Most frequently, MSUS was used to assist in the diagnosis of injury/pathology (84%). A range of free text comments were received from the participants in response to the question relating to their thoughts on the impact of using MSUS imaging in their practice (n = 109) and on their perceptions of how the use of MSUS has influenced their approaches to management of their patients' musculoskeletal foot and ankle problems (n = 108). Thematic analysis of the free text comments generated four themes: (i) diagnosis, (ii) delivery and access of care, (iii) patient education and engagement, and (iv) patient empowerment. CONCLUSION: The perceived benefit podiatrists indicated in using MSUS as part of their practice is the perceived improvement in patient journeys through tighter, focused management plans and reduced waiting times. An additional novel finding was that MSUS provided the capacity for podiatrists to better inform patients of their diagnosis, which they believed led to improved engagement and consequent empowerment of patients in their treatment plans. We propose further investigation of patient experiences as well as testing of the model that embeds podiatrists' use of MSUS as a key skill in musculoskeletal foot and ankle services.
Assuntos
Utilização de Instalações e Serviços/tendências , Doenças Musculoesqueléticas/diagnóstico por imagem , Podiatria/tendências , Padrões de Prática Médica/tendências , Ultrassonografia/tendências , Estudos Transversais , Pesquisas sobre Atenção à Saúde , Humanos , Podiatria/métodos , Espanha , Reino UnidoRESUMO
BACKGROUND: Occupational musculoskeletal injuries are prevalent in healthcare workers and are reported to be profession-specific. There is, however, a paucity of information around the injuries sustained from working as a podiatrist. This paper looks at the incidence of injury from working as a podiatrist, the aggravating factors to sustain these injuries and whether the changes in workload due to the COVID-19 pandemic altered the incidence. METHODS: A modified work based musculoskeletal injury questionnaire was distributed in the UK via podiatry led social media platforms. Open and Closed questions explored the demographics of the sample, perceived injury 12 months prior to the COVID-19 pandemic and then 6 months into the lockdown. Pre and post COVID-19 data were analysed for differences and thematic analysis was included to categorise reported experiences. RESULTS: 148 podiatrists representing 3 % of HCPC registered practitioners responded to the questionnaire. Employment status altered as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic with a 13 % reduction in those working full time. Environments also changed with domiciliary and telehealth significantly increasing (p > 0.00) and non-clinical roles being extended (p > 0.002). Pain frequency and intensity significantly (p > 0.04) increased as a result of the pandemic with shoulder pain being most frequent before lockdown altering to the neck during the lockdown. Two main themes were identified that were attributed to the causes of pain including physical demands and working in awkward spaces. CONCLUSIONS: Work-related musculoskeletal pain in podiatrists is common with the shoulder and neck being the most frequently affected. Changes in work practices due to the restrictions enforced from the COVID-19 pandemic increased the frequency and intensity of pain mostly associated with increased domiciliary and telehealth working environments.
Assuntos
Acidentes de Trabalho , COVID-19 , Cervicalgia , Doenças Profissionais , Podiatria , Dor de Ombro , Acidentes de Trabalho/prevenção & controle , Acidentes de Trabalho/estatística & dados numéricos , COVID-19/epidemiologia , COVID-19/prevenção & controle , Controle de Doenças Transmissíveis/métodos , Pesquisas sobre Atenção à Saúde/métodos , Pesquisas sobre Atenção à Saúde/estatística & dados numéricos , Humanos , Cervicalgia/epidemiologia , Cervicalgia/etiologia , Doenças Profissionais/classificação , Doenças Profissionais/epidemiologia , Podiatria/métodos , Podiatria/tendências , Prevalência , SARS-CoV-2 , Dor de Ombro/epidemiologia , Dor de Ombro/etiologia , Telemedicina/métodos , Reino Unido/epidemiologia , Carga de Trabalho/estatística & dados numéricos , Local de Trabalho/normasRESUMO
Podiatric medicine had its own evolution in the medical field apart from allopathic and osteopathic medicine. Podiatrists are well-respected members of the health-care team and have earned recognition as physicians within their education, training, and credentialing processes. Unlike allopathic medical doctors and doctors of osteopathic medicine, whose scope of practice is based upon their education, training, and credentialing processes, podiatrists' scopes of practice are determined by state laws (and are often influenced by politics) with variances across the United States. In contrast to a lack of uniformity in the training and credentialing processes of an allopathic medical doctor, podiatrists complete a streamlined educational process that is competency-based and well-aligned from the undergraduate phase (podiatric medical school) to the postgraduate phase (residency) through the credentialing processes (licensure and certification). Podiatric medical students begin to directly engage in the specialty related to the diagnosis and treatment of the lower extremity much earlier in the educational process than an orthopedist, whose foot and ankle exposure is less extensive by comparison.
Assuntos
Podiatria/tendências , Acreditação , Certificação , Diabetes Mellitus/economia , Humanos , Licenciamento , Procedimentos Ortopédicos , Podiatria/economia , Podiatria/educação , Podiatria/normasRESUMO
BACKGROUND: The delivery of healthcare is changing and aligned with this, the podiatry profession continues to change with evidence informed practice and extending roles. As change is now a constant, this gives clinicians the opportunity to take ownership to drive that change forward. In some cases, practitioners and their teams have done so, where others have been reluctant to embrace change. It is not clear to what extent good practice is being shared, whether interventions to bring about change have been successful, or what barriers exist that have prevented change from occurring. The aim of this article is to explore the barriers to changing professional practice and what lessons podiatry can learn from other health care professions. MAIN BODY: A literature search was carried out which informed a narrative review of the findings. Eligible papers had to (1) examine the barriers to change strategies, (2) explore knowledge, attitudes and roles during change interventions, (3) explore how the patients/service users contribute to the change process (4) include studies from predominantly primary care in developed countries.Ninety-two papers were included in the final review. Four papers included change interventions involving podiatrists. The barriers influencing change were synthesised into three themes (1) the organisational context, (2) the awareness, knowledge and attitudes of the professional, (3) the patient as a service user and consumer. CONCLUSIONS: Minimal evidence exists about the barriers to changing professional practice in podiatry. However, there is substantial literature on barriers and implementation strategies aimed at changing professional practices in other health professions. Change in practice is often resisted at an organisational, professional or service user level. The limited literature about change in podiatry, a rapidly changing healthcare workforce and the wide range of contexts that podiatrists work, highlights the need to improve the ways in which podiatrists can share successful attempts to change practice.
Assuntos
Inovação Organizacional , Podiatria/tendências , Prática Profissional/tendências , Atitude do Pessoal de Saúde , Gestão de Mudança , Atenção à Saúde/organização & administração , Atenção à Saúde/tendências , Humanos , Reino UnidoRESUMO
BACKGROUND: An unanticipated decrease in applications to podiatric medical schools in the late 1990s has resulted in a decline in the number of podiatric physicians per capita in the United States. This study explores the implications of five possible scenarios for addressing this decline. METHODS: With the help of an advisory committee and data from the American Podiatric Medical Association, projections of the supply of podiatric physicians were developed using five different scenarios of the future. Projections of several factors related to the demand for podiatric physicians were also developed based on a review of the literature. RESULTS: The projections reveal that unless the number of graduations of new podiatric physicians increases dramatically, the supply will not keep up with the increasing demand for their services. CONCLUSION: The growing supply-demand gap revealed by this study will be an important challenge for the podiatric medical profession to overcome during the next couple of decades.
Assuntos
Podiatria , Previsões , Necessidades e Demandas de Serviços de Saúde/tendências , Humanos , Podiatria/tendências , Sociedades , Estudantes/estatística & dados numéricos , Estados Unidos , Recursos HumanosRESUMO
BACKGROUND: The health professions have progressed and evolved considerably over the last few decades in response to demographic, technological, societal and political changes. They continue to do so as the volume and complexity of population health needs steadily increase. Role boundary expansion is among the key changes to the health professions, including podiatry to meet demand. Nonetheless podiatry's role boundary expansion has not been achieved swiftly or without resistance from neighbouring and dominant professions. This paper seeks to explain the nature of this resistance with respect to the sociology of the professions literature and to shed light on some of the factors and processes at play when role boundary changes arise in health care. DISCUSSION: Six of the most contemporaneously relevant sociology of the professions theories are summarised: Taxonomic, Marxian, Bourdieusian, Foucauldian, Boundary Work and Neo-Weberian paradigms. CONCLUSION: This review highlights that some paradigms are more relevant than others in the current socio-political landscape. It also illustrates that there is a common theme underlying each approach to defining the professions and their boundaries: competition. This may help health professionals, including podiatrists, to understand and manage the challenges and resistance experienced when professions attempt to expand role boundaries to meet increasing and changing population health needs.
Assuntos
Podiatria/tendências , Sociologia Médica/tendências , Comunismo , Comportamento Competitivo , Ocupações em Saúde/tendências , Humanos , Relações InterprofissionaisRESUMO
Journal of Foot and Ankle Research (JFAR) was launched in July 2008 as the official research publication of the Society of Chiropodists and Podiatrists (UK) and the Australasian Podiatry Council, replacing both the British Journal of Podiatry and the Australasian Journal of Podiatric Medicine. This editorial celebrates the 10 year anniversary of the journal.
Assuntos
Publicações Periódicas como Assunto/tendências , Podiatria/tendências , Austrália , Bibliometria , Publicações Periódicas como Assunto/estatística & dados numéricos , Podiatria/estatística & dados numéricos , Terminologia como Assunto , Reino UnidoRESUMO
This paper discusses the innovative changes in podiatric medical education found in today's schools and colleges of podiatric medicine, including changes in philosophy, resources and technology, curriculum, delivery methods, the role of faculty, and assessment tools, and the changing expectations of the students themselves. There is an emphasis on the shift from a teacher-centered approach to professional education to a student-centered approach. Technological advances have had a tremendous impact on the educational process and have opened doors to many new forms of educational delivery that better meet the needs of today's students. We believe that the podiatric medical education of today is the equivalent of allopathic and osteopathic education in quality and depth. The future holds the promise of many more exciting changes to come.
Assuntos
Currículo/tendências , Educação de Graduação em Medicina/organização & administração , Avaliação Educacional , Podiatria/educação , Currículo/normas , Feminino , Previsões , Humanos , Masculino , Podiatria/tendências , Desenvolvimento de Programas , Avaliação de Programas e Projetos de Saúde , Estudantes de MedicinaRESUMO
BACKGROUND:: The scope of podiatric practice has changed significantly in the past couple of decades. Despite the increased quality of training, many people outside of podiatry may not realize what our scope of practice entails. METHODS:: We conducted a survey consisting of 10 items and asked internal medicine residents at Rush University Medical Center and patients whether they would feel comfortable consulting podiatrists, or being treated for each issue. RESULTS:: The results for residents are as follows: 1) toenail fungus, 35% yes and 65% no; 2) diabetic wound care, 87.5% yes and 12.5% no; 3) bunion surgery, 90% yes and 10% no; 4) ankle fracture surgery, 25% yes and 75% no; 5) calcaneal fracture surgery, 50% yes and 50% no; 6) tarsal tunnel nerve surgery, 62.5% yes and 37.5% no; 7) lower extremity arterial bypass, 5% yes and 95% no; 8) below-knee amputation, 5% yes and 95% no; 9) transmetatarsal amputation, 67.5% yes and 32.5% no; and 10) venous stasis wound care, 65% yes and 35% no. The results for patients are as follows: 1) toenail fungus, 72.5% yes and 27.5% no; 2) diabetic wound care, 70% yes and 30% no; 3) bunion surgery, 62.5% yes and 37.5% no; 4) ankle fracture surgery, 57.5% yes and 42.5% no; 5) calcaneal fracture surgery, 55% yes and 45% no; 6) tarsal tunnel nerve surgery, 50% yes and 50% no; 7) lower extremity arterial bypass, 32.5% yes and 67.5% no; 8) below-knee amputation, 27.5% yes and 72.5% no; 9) transmetatarsal amputation, 52.5% yes and 47.5% no; and 10) venous stasis wound care, 32.5% yes and 67.5% no. CONCLUSIONS:: Internal medicine residents and patients do not have an accurate perception of the scope of podiatric medicine. This proves that, as a profession, we need to raise awareness about what the podiatric scope of medicine actually entails.
Assuntos
Atitude do Pessoal de Saúde , Medicina Interna/educação , Relações Interprofissionais , Podiatria/educação , Feminino , Hospitais de Ensino , Humanos , Medicina Interna/tendências , Internato e Residência/tendências , Masculino , Avaliação das Necessidades , Percepção , Relações Médico-Paciente , Podiatria/tendências , Padrões de Prática Médica , Inquéritos e Questionários , Estados UnidosRESUMO
AIMS: Although U.S. territories fall within the mandate outlined by Healthy People 2020, they remain neglected in diabetes care research. We compared the prevalence and secular trends of four recommended diabetes care practices in the U.S. territories of Guam, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands to the 50 United States and D.C. ("U.S. States") in 2001-2015. METHODS: Data were from 390,268 adult participants with self-reported physician diagnosed diabetes in the Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System. Diabetes care practices included biannual HbA1c tests, attendance of diabetes education classes, daily self-monitoring of blood glucose, and receipt of annual foot examination. Practices were compared by U.S. territory and between territories and U.S. states. Multivariable models accounted for age, sex, education, and year. RESULTS: Of adults with diagnosed diabetes, 7% to 11% in the U.S. territories engaged in all four recommended diabetes care practices compared with 25% for those, on average, in U.S. states. Relative to the U.S. states, on average, the proportion achieving biannual HbA1c testing was lower in Guam and the U.S. Virgin Islands (45.6% and 44.9% vs. 62.2%), while annual foot examinations were lower in Puerto Rico (45.9% vs 66.1% in the U.S. states). Diabetes education and daily glucose self-monitoring were lower in all three territories. CONCLUSIONS: U.S. territories lag behind U.S. states in diabetes care practices. Policies aimed at improving diabetes care practices are needed in the U.S. territories to achieve Healthy People 2020 goals and attain parity with U.S. states.
Assuntos
Diabetes Mellitus/terapia , Disparidades em Assistência à Saúde/tendências , Programas Gente Saudável/tendências , Cooperação do Paciente , Padrões de Prática Médica/tendências , Biomarcadores/sangue , Glicemia/metabolismo , Automonitorização da Glicemia/tendências , Diabetes Mellitus/sangue , Diabetes Mellitus/diagnóstico , Diabetes Mellitus/epidemiologia , Pé Diabético/diagnóstico , Pé Diabético/epidemiologia , Feminino , Hemoglobinas Glicadas/metabolismo , Guam/epidemiologia , Humanos , Masculino , Pessoa de Meia-Idade , Educação de Pacientes como Assunto/tendências , Exame Físico/tendências , Podiatria/tendências , Porto Rico/epidemiologia , Autocuidado/tendências , Estados Unidos/epidemiologia , Ilhas Virgens Americanas/epidemiologiaRESUMO
Residency programs exist to train the next generation of podiatric physicians. A brief review of residency programs and what constitutes a "resident" is offered in a concise format.
Assuntos
Internato e Residência , Podiatria/educação , História do Século XX , Humanos , Internato e Residência/história , Internato e Residência/organização & administração , Podiatria/tendênciasRESUMO
Despite the plethora of information on human gait analysis, its continued use as a clinical tool remains uncertain. Analysis of gait dysfunction has become integral to podiatric medical practice, and, like many specialized fields, it is rapidly changing to meet the needs of the future. Practice in the 21st century is predicated on the concept of multidisciplinary working approaches and a growing trend toward evidence-based practice, in which gait analysis could play a prominent role. This article provides a historical synopsis of instrumented gait analysis and its associated subcomponents and discusses the salient issues concerning its future role in podiatric medicine.