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Effective management of diabetic foot ulcersNigam Y, Knight J (2017) Diabetes management 3: the pathogenesis and management of diabetic foot ulcers. Nursing Times; 113: 5, 51-54.How to use this article for your journal club discussionPrint and read the article before your journal club meeting, and use the author commentary and discussion points below to help get your discussions started. Participation in journal clubs can be used for revalidation as:Participatory CPD: describe what you have learnt and how you will apply it to your practice, and how it links to the NMC Code;Reflective accounts: think about what you learned from your discussions, how you can use your learning to improve your practice, and how this relates to the NMC Code.If you subscribe to Nursing Times, log the evidence in the ‘Other professional development’ or ‘Reflective accounts’ section of your NT Portfolio.Diabetic foot ulcer – a potentially devastating complicationThe impact of type 2 diabetes is profound, as patients experience many systemic changes and complications. The two main factors that contribute to the development of the diabetic foot are peripheral neuropathy – loss of sensation and feeling in the feet – and peripheral vascular disease; together they leave patients vulnerable to foot injury and the development of diabetic foot ulcers (DFUs). DFUs are among the most frequent and disastrous complications of diabetes, as they often lead to amputation.Early assessment and treatment, along with effective wound management, are essential to treat DFUs and avoid the need for amputation. National guidance recommends that all patients with diabetes should be assessed holistically to identify all intrinsic and extrinsic factors that could potentially lead to the development of a DFU. It is extremely important to educate patients and get them to inspect their own feet regularly – ideally on a daily basis – as well as have their feet looked at by a health professional at least once every six months. The role of health professionals is to empower patients with the knowledge to self-manage their condition and appreciate that they may need to make lifestyle changes, such as cleaning and moisturising their feet daily and wearing well-fitted footwear. Education, provided to patients and families in a structured manner, will play a crucial role in the prevention and recognition of diabetic foot problems. It is therefore vital that health professionals, including nurses, understand the pathology of DFUs as well as their risk factors, assessment and treatment.Authors: Yamni Nigam is associate professor in biomedical science; John Knight is senior lecturer in biomedical science; both at the College of Human Health and Science, Swansea University.Discussion pointsWhy is diabetes described as one of the fastest growing health threats of our times?What are the main factors that contribute to the development of DFUs?What are the key assessments that need to be undertaken for a patient with a DFU? How can patients be motivated to make the diet and lifestyle changes that may prevent the occurrence of DFUs?What role can you play in preventing DFUs?Effective management of diabetic foot ulcersNigam Y, Knight J (2017) Diabetes management 3: the pathogenesis and management of diabetic foot ulcers. Nursing Times; 113: 5, 51-54.-63500165735Revalidation evidenceMake a note of how your journal club discussion relates to your own practice and the NMC Code, what you learnt from reading and discussing the article and how you will use this learning to change your practice. If you subscribe to Nursing Times, you can upload this article with your notes into your NT Portfolio as evidence of participatory CPD. You can also use it as the basis for a reflective account.0Revalidation evidenceMake a note of how your journal club discussion relates to your own practice and the NMC Code, what you learnt from reading and discussing the article and how you will use this learning to change your practice. If you subscribe to Nursing Times, you can upload this article with your notes into your NT Portfolio as evidence of participatory CPD. You can also use it as the basis for a reflective account.Your notes ................
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