Illness Beliefs Predict Mortality in Patients with Diabetic Foot Ulcers.

Background: Patients' illness beliefs have been associated with glycaemic control in diabetes and survival in other conditions.

Objective: We examined whether illness beliefs independently predicted survival in patients with diabetes and foot ulceration.

Methods: Patients (n=169) were recruited between 2002 and 2007.

Illness beliefs predict self-care behaviours in patients with diabetic foot ulcers: a prospective study.

Aims: Patients' illness beliefs are known to be influential determinants of self-care behaviours in many chronic conditions. In a prospective observational study we examined their role in predicting foot self-care behaviours in patients with diabetic foot ulcers.

Methods: Patients (n=169) were recruited from outpatient podiatry clinics.

Individual care plans can reduce hospital admission rate for patients who frequently attend the emergency department.

Aim: To investigate the impact, in terms of hospital admission and investigations, of individual care plans for patients who frequently attend the emergency department (ED).

Method: 32 patients who regularly attended the ED at St Thomas' Hospital were included in the study. After review of ED and hospital case records, an individual care plan was prepared for future attendances.

Improvement in the pre-hospital care of recreational drug users through the development of club specific ambulance referral guidelines.

Background: Previously developed 'club guidelines' developed for club owners and promoters have tended to focus more on the legislative aspects of clubs, rather than the medical management of unwell clubbers within club environments. Despite this lack of guidance on the management of unwell clubbers, a significant proportion of clubs have 'club medic' rooms for managing these individuals. However, due to the lack of specific guidance on the training of staff working in these rooms and guidelines on when an ambulance should be called for an unwell clubber, there have been instances previously where clubbers have been inappropriately managed within the club environment, and often referred to hospital only after significant physiological derangement has occurred, thereby leading to an increased risk of morbidity and mortality.