A scoping review protocol to identify strategies to implement evidence-based diabetic foot disease guidelines for healthcare professionals in primary care

Abstract

Background: Diabetes mellitus has been identified as a serious global public health concern. Diabetic foot disease is one of four major complications that impacts on people with the disease and health systems. The majority of diabetic foot care, including screening and treatment, occurs in the primary care sector. To provide optimal care, evidence-based guidance is essential for all healthcare professionals. There is little known about the implementation of these guidelines in primary care settings. The aim of this scoping review will be to identify strategic components used to support the implementation of diabetic foot disease evidence-based practice guidelines by healthcare professionals in primary care. Methods: A scoping review drawing on methods and guidance from the Joanna Briggs Institute will be conducted and will be reported according to the PRISMA-ScR Checklist. This study will retrieve literature on strategic components used to implement diabetic foot disease evidence-based practice guidelines by health professionals in primary care, through a comprehensive search strategy in the following databases: CINAHL; Medline (Ovid); Embase; the Cochrane Library; and PsycINFO. Grey literature will be searched within the references of identified articles and in Lenus, BASE and LILACS. A data charting form will be developed with categories including: article details, population demographics, implementation strategies, strategy details, and evaluation methods such as feasibility and effectiveness, duration of intervention and duration of follow up. Conclusions: Promoting foot care for people with diabetes in the primary care setting can make a significant impact on overall outcomes for the person and the health service. However, without the transition of evidence-based guidelines to practice, the impact can be difficult to assess. This study will map the evidence that can assist the transfer of evidence-based practice guidelines for diabetic foot care to healthcare professionals in primary care.