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Background: Evidence regarding the foot care practices among practitioners is still scarce in the Indian scenario. This study aimed at assessing the foot care practices among diabetologists from various parts of the country. Methods: A cross-sectional online survey was conducted among diabetologists, to understand their foot care practices across India, who were part of Diabetic Foot Research India (DFRI) and have participated in the study. Results: In a total of 89 participants, majority of the diabetologists examined patients with a history of foot infection once in 3 months (53%), 128 Hz tuning fork has been used for diagnosis of high-risk foot (31%), majority of patients were advised to use TCC by diabetologists (73%), and footwear was manufactured by qualified orthotist and prosthetics (60%). The foot problems commonly treated by diabetologists are cellulitis (26%) followed by callus (24%). Patients were also referred to other specialists (69%); almost all the participants used antibiotics (95%), and medication and wound care management (29%) were also a part of their practice. Conclusion: The diabetologists displayed a multidisciplinary approach to the treatment and management of foot care practices among patients with foot complications. It is imperative to establish effective communication between diabetologists and/or other practitioners to generate sufficient evidence to determine the foot care practices throughout the country. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

INTRODUCTION: Diabetes is a serious worldwide public health problem. People with diabetes need to take special care of their feet because of loss of sensation in the feet. Therefore, developing health educational programs for diabetic foot care and disability prevention are important issues. The purpose of this study was to determine the effect of educational program based on health belief model (HBM) on diabetic foot care of the type 2 diabetes patients. METHODOLOGY: One hundred eight (male = 46, female = 72) type 2 diabetes patients participated in this study. The subjects were randomly divided into two groups: experimental group (mean age = 46.2 years) and control group (mean age = 47.2 years). The reliable and valid questionnaire based on HBM (perceived susceptibility, severity, barrier and benefit and cues to action) was used in order to evaluate (interviewed and self-reported) the effectiveness of the educational program. The collection of data was done before, immediately after and again 1 month after the intervention. RESULTS: The results indicated that the mean scores of knowledge, perceived susceptibility, severity, barrier and benefit were in the mediate level, but the cues to foot-care action were at a very low level. The mean scores of all HBM elements of experimental group changed significantly after the intervention and in comparison to the control group. DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSION: This study showed that diabetic people need to learn to take care of their feet. Also, improving perceived susceptibility, severity, barrier and benefit of diabetes patients has an influence on cues to foot-care action. Therefore, developing the educational program in type 2 DM, based on HBM comprehensive foot care, on diabetic foot care was effective. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]