The role of nursing in diabetic foot ulcer wound healing

Abstract

Diabetic foot ulcers are major health problems among patients with diabetes, that contribute to serious complications and adversely affect quality of life. Diabetic complications have become a major contributor to increased hospitalization, mortality and risk for amputation, and greater economic burden for individuals and society. The goal of this thesis was to conduct a descriptive review of existing literature and review recent evidence on nursing practices promoting the prevention, management, and recovery of diabetic foot ulcers. A descriptive literature review method was applied to integrate recent studies, instead of providing new empirical evidence. We diligently accessed relevant papers from three major databases CINAHL, MEDLINE, and PubMed, in accordance with defined inclusion and exclusion criteria. Following the PRISMA framework, eight qualitative studies met the selection criteria and included inductive content analysis to identify recurring themes and key findings. The results were classified as follows: education, nurses’ role in diabetes care, challenges, integrating nursing process through standardized protocols in DFU care, preventive care and early intervention, and holistic approach to wound management. During the findings much effort was placed on the need to educate patient, preventive measures, the need for multidisciplinary aspect when it comes to the management of diabetes foot ulcers, the findings also talk about the need for easy intervention and importance of education for nurse in the long-term to help improve patient will-being. Effort in the future should focus on improving and standardized nursing protocols through training.