Foot education improves knowledge and satisfaction among patients at high risk for diabetic foot ulcer.

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to evaluate an intensive diabetes foot education program for veterans at high risk for foot ulcer.

Methods: We invited 100 consecutive patients with diabetes from a Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Center clinic who were insensate to the Semmes-Weinstein 5.07 monofilament to participate in a foot care education program. Two sessions were conducted by a nurse diabetes educator 3 months apart. Multiple educational approaches were used to teach patients foot self-examination, foot washing, proper footwear, and encouragement in enlisting proper physician foot care. Knowledge and satisfaction with care was measured before and after each visit.

Results: The 34 patients who attended both education sessions improved their foot care knowledge over the course of the program. After the second session, the mean improvement over baseline was 14%. These patients also reported improved satisfaction with foot care; mean improvement was 33%.

Conclusions: An intensive education program improved the foot care knowledge and behavior of high-risk patients. Those who adhered to a foot care education program were more satisfied with their foot care than prior to the program. Ways to improve accessibility of education sessions must be explored.