UK podiatrists’ experiences of podiatry services for people living with arthritis: a qualitative investigation

Abstract Background Provision of podiatry services, like other therapies in the UK, is an area that lacks guidance by the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence. Many individuals living with arthritis in the UK are not eligible to access NHS podiatry services. The primary aim of this inve...

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Main Authors: Louise McCulloch, Alan Borthwick, Anthony Redmond, Katherine Edwards, Rafael Pinedo-Villanueva, Daniel Prieto-Alhambra, Andrew Judge, Nigel K. Arden, Catherine J. Bowen
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: BMC 2018-06-01
Series:Journal of Foot and Ankle Research
Subjects:
Online Access:http://link.springer.com/article/10.1186/s13047-018-0262-5
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spelling doaj-2bd1888a77624e2193ca66a6917ff5962020-11-25T02:04:08ZengBMCJournal of Foot and Ankle Research1757-11462018-06-011111810.1186/s13047-018-0262-5UK podiatrists’ experiences of podiatry services for people living with arthritis: a qualitative investigationLouise McCulloch0Alan Borthwick1Anthony Redmond2Katherine Edwards3Rafael Pinedo-Villanueva4Daniel Prieto-Alhambra5Andrew Judge6Nigel K. Arden7Catherine J. Bowen8Faculty of Health Sciences, University of SouthamptonFaculty of Health Sciences, University of SouthamptonFaculty of Medicine & Health, Leeds Institute of Rheumatic & Musculoskeletal MedicineNuffield Department of Orthopaedics, Rheumatology & Musculoskeletal Sciences, University of OxfordNuffield Department of Orthopaedics, Rheumatology & Musculoskeletal Sciences, University of OxfordNuffield Department of Orthopaedics, Rheumatology & Musculoskeletal Sciences, University of OxfordNuffield Department of Orthopaedics, Rheumatology & Musculoskeletal Sciences, University of OxfordNuffield Department of Orthopaedics, Rheumatology & Musculoskeletal Sciences, University of OxfordFaculty of Health Sciences, University of SouthamptonAbstract Background Provision of podiatry services, like other therapies in the UK, is an area that lacks guidance by the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence. Many individuals living with arthritis in the UK are not eligible to access NHS podiatry services. The primary aim of this investigation was to understand the views of podiatry clinicians on their experiences of referral, access, provision and treatment for foot problems for patients who have arthritis. Methods Focus groups were undertaken to explore, in-depth, individual views of podiatrists working in the UK to gain feedback on experiences of barriers and facilitators to referral, access, provision and treatment for foot problems for individuals living with arthritis. A purposive sampling strategy was adopted and two, semi-structured, focus group interviews conducted, involving 12 podiatrists from both NHS and independent sectors. To account for geographical variations one focus group took place in each of 2 predetermined ‘zones’ of the UK; Yorkshire and Hampshire. Thematic analysis was employed to identify key meanings and report patterns within the data. Results The key themes derived from the podiatry clinician focus groups suggest a variety of factors influencing demand for, and burden of, foot pain within the UK. Participants expressed frustration on having a service that accepts and treats patients according to their condition, rather than their complaint. Additionally, concern was conveyed over variations in the understanding of stakeholders’ views of what podiatry is and what podiatrists aim to achieve for patients. Conclusion Podiatrists interviewed believed that many individuals living with arthritis in the UK are not eligible to access NHS podiatry services and that this may be, in part, due to confusion over what is known about podiatry and access criteria. Essentially, podiatrists interviewed called for a timely renaissance of current systems, to newer models of care that meet the foot care needs of individual patients’ circumstances and incorporate national multi-disciplinary guidance. Through this project, we have formulated key recommendations that are directed towards improving what other stakeholders (including GPs, commissioners and users of podiatry services) know about the effectiveness of podiatry and also to futureproof the profession of podiatry.http://link.springer.com/article/10.1186/s13047-018-0262-5ArthritisPodiatryFootcareService provision
collection DOAJ
language English
format Article
sources DOAJ
author Louise McCulloch
Alan Borthwick
Anthony Redmond
Katherine Edwards
Rafael Pinedo-Villanueva
Daniel Prieto-Alhambra
Andrew Judge
Nigel K. Arden
Catherine J. Bowen
spellingShingle Louise McCulloch
Alan Borthwick
Anthony Redmond
Katherine Edwards
Rafael Pinedo-Villanueva
Daniel Prieto-Alhambra
Andrew Judge
Nigel K. Arden
Catherine J. Bowen
UK podiatrists’ experiences of podiatry services for people living with arthritis: a qualitative investigation
Journal of Foot and Ankle Research
Arthritis
Podiatry
Footcare
Service provision
author_facet Louise McCulloch
Alan Borthwick
Anthony Redmond
Katherine Edwards
Rafael Pinedo-Villanueva
Daniel Prieto-Alhambra
Andrew Judge
Nigel K. Arden
Catherine J. Bowen
author_sort Louise McCulloch
title UK podiatrists’ experiences of podiatry services for people living with arthritis: a qualitative investigation
title_short UK podiatrists’ experiences of podiatry services for people living with arthritis: a qualitative investigation
title_full UK podiatrists’ experiences of podiatry services for people living with arthritis: a qualitative investigation
title_fullStr UK podiatrists’ experiences of podiatry services for people living with arthritis: a qualitative investigation
title_full_unstemmed UK podiatrists’ experiences of podiatry services for people living with arthritis: a qualitative investigation
title_sort uk podiatrists’ experiences of podiatry services for people living with arthritis: a qualitative investigation
publisher BMC
series Journal of Foot and Ankle Research
issn 1757-1146
publishDate 2018-06-01
description Abstract Background Provision of podiatry services, like other therapies in the UK, is an area that lacks guidance by the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence. Many individuals living with arthritis in the UK are not eligible to access NHS podiatry services. The primary aim of this investigation was to understand the views of podiatry clinicians on their experiences of referral, access, provision and treatment for foot problems for patients who have arthritis. Methods Focus groups were undertaken to explore, in-depth, individual views of podiatrists working in the UK to gain feedback on experiences of barriers and facilitators to referral, access, provision and treatment for foot problems for individuals living with arthritis. A purposive sampling strategy was adopted and two, semi-structured, focus group interviews conducted, involving 12 podiatrists from both NHS and independent sectors. To account for geographical variations one focus group took place in each of 2 predetermined ‘zones’ of the UK; Yorkshire and Hampshire. Thematic analysis was employed to identify key meanings and report patterns within the data. Results The key themes derived from the podiatry clinician focus groups suggest a variety of factors influencing demand for, and burden of, foot pain within the UK. Participants expressed frustration on having a service that accepts and treats patients according to their condition, rather than their complaint. Additionally, concern was conveyed over variations in the understanding of stakeholders’ views of what podiatry is and what podiatrists aim to achieve for patients. Conclusion Podiatrists interviewed believed that many individuals living with arthritis in the UK are not eligible to access NHS podiatry services and that this may be, in part, due to confusion over what is known about podiatry and access criteria. Essentially, podiatrists interviewed called for a timely renaissance of current systems, to newer models of care that meet the foot care needs of individual patients’ circumstances and incorporate national multi-disciplinary guidance. Through this project, we have formulated key recommendations that are directed towards improving what other stakeholders (including GPs, commissioners and users of podiatry services) know about the effectiveness of podiatry and also to futureproof the profession of podiatry.
topic Arthritis
Podiatry
Footcare
Service provision
url http://link.springer.com/article/10.1186/s13047-018-0262-5
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