Patient and professional delay in the referral trajectory of patients with diabetic foot ulcers.

Aims: A cohort study investigated referral and treatment trajectories of patients with diabetic foot ulceration consulting podiatrists. The study aims were to quantify patient, professional and treatment (=total) delay and to identify relationships between patient- or professional-related characteristics, delays or ulcer healing time.

Methods: Ten podiatrists specialising in diabetes care included 54 consecutive adults with diabetic foot ulceration.