Abstract
BackgroundAboriginal and Torres Islander Australians experience considerably higher rates of diabetes and diabetes related foot complications and amputations than non-Indigenous Australians. Therefore there is a need to identify aspects of Aboriginal and Torres Islander focussed foot health programs that have had successful outcomes in reducing diabetes related foot complications. Wider knowledge and implementation of these programs may help reduce the high burden of diabetes related foot disease experienced by Aboriginal and Torres Islander Australians.MethodsPubMeD, Informit Indigenous collection, CINAHL, SCOPUS, the Cochrane Library and grey literature sources were searched to 28th August 2018. We included any published reports or studies of stand-alone diabetes related foot care interventions, programs, services, educational resources or assessment of these interventions, designed for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Australians.ResultsThirteen studies detailing interventions in the Northern Territory, New South Wales, Queensland and Western Australia met the inclusion criteria. Five reports described delivery of podiatry services while the other eight investigated educational and training programs. Half of the reports related to aspects of the Indigenous Diabetic Foot program which provides culturally appropriate foot education and training workshops for health care providers. One article reported quantitative data related to clinical patient outcome measures.ConclusionsNo state- or nation-wide foot health programs for prevention of diabetes related foot complications in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Australians were identified. One program achieved high adherence to the national guidelines regarding timing of podiatry review treatments through use of an evidence based foot risk classification tool and provision of services in a culturally appropriate centre.
Highlights
Aboriginal and Torres Islander Australians experience considerably higher rates of diabetes and diabetes related foot complications and amputations than non-Indigenous Australians
Aboriginal and Torres Islander Australians experience four times the rate of diabetes compared to non-Indigenous Australians, with an overall incidence of 13% [2], and rates as high as 42% reported in some remote communities [3]
No state- or nation-wide foot health programs for prevention of diabetes related foot complications in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Australians were identified by this review
Summary
There is a need to identify aspects of Aboriginal and Torres Islander focussed foot health programs that have had successful outcomes in reducing diabetes related foot complications. A number of examples of culturally safe services for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities in Australia have increased access to combined diabetes care services and improved patient outcomes [11–17]. These share common characteristics, including community consultation in the development, implementation and ongoing management of the service; involvement of Aboriginal Health Workers (AHW); and a focus on self-management and patient participation in health through improved health literacy.
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