A global consensus, authored by Alistair McInnes, senior lecturer with the School of Health Professions has been published this month in Diabetic Medicine. The consensus aims to help people with diabetes who are presently at low-risk of foot complications to undertake a basic foot care regime in order to reduce their likelihood of developing serious foot complications in the future.
In May, Alistair will be presenting at an internationally renowned symposium on the diabetic foot in Noordwijkerhout, The Netherlands which attracts over 1000 diabetic foot experts from across the world.
The consensus is part of a global campaign sponsored by Scholl to develop a worldwide network of influencers and thought leaders in podiatry and diabetes that facilitates dialogue and promotes education to improve preventative foot care and foot health.
The campaign has included other background research and in the future, further educational and research activities are planned with the aim of achieving improved foot care and a subsequent reduction in morbidity and mortality as a result of diabetic foot complications throughout the world.
"The consensus should become a guide for healthcare professionals to help communicate the importance of basic foot self-care to all people with diabetes, particularly those currently at low-risk of foot complications.” comments Alistair McInnes. “Basic foot care is simple, quick and empowers the patient to manage their foot health more proactively, and can help reduce the likelihood of complications later on."
Alistair leads a government Knowledge Transfer Partnership (KTP) between the University of Brighton’s School of Health Professions and SSL International Plc, a Manchester-based consumer products company with leading global brands including Scholl. The KTP will enable healthcare professionals to give evidence-based self-help advice to low-risk diabetes patients in order to reduce the incidence of progression to chronic status.
