Optimal Strategies for Diabetic Foot Care in Times of Pandemic

ABSTRACT

Objectives: To determine optimal strategies for diabetic foot care in times of pandemic. Methods: Systematic review was conducted following PRISMA guidelines from May to December 2021, using Pubmed, Scopus, SCIelo, CINAHL and Lilacs databases, with the descriptors DeCs Diabetic foot, (diabetic foot) AND (disease prevention), (nursing care), (nursing care), (nursing care)) AND (disease prevention), (nursing care) AND (Strategies), (Coronavirus infections), (Coronavirus infections) Queries Covid-19 articles Category General, ((diabetic foot) AND (nursing care)) AND (Coronavirus infections). Studies from 2018 to August 2021 were considered. Results: Out of 2464 articles, 28 were selected and evaluated using the Mixed Methods Appraisal Tool. 29% articles (8) were developed in countries belonging to Europe, followed by 25% (7) articles from countries in Asia and North America, 14% (4) from countries in South America and 4% (1) article from Oceania and Africa. The results obtained were differentiated between face-to-face and non-face-to-face strategies. Within the latter group, the lines of action defined in the Chilean National Telehealth Program were used to classify the results. Conclusions: The optimal strategies for diabetic foot care in times of pandemic were classified as face-to-face and non-face-to-face. As face-to-face strategy, foot care education and complications were identified. As non-face-to-face strategies, are those focused on the use of tele-education for patients and te-learning for professionals, in addition to support in the evaluation of lesions with telemedicine, tele-assistance, telemonitoring and telefolow-ups. The elements inherent to e-health should be considered, such as infrastructure, collaboration with the private, associative and multisectoral sectors, evaluations of cost-effective models, adaptation of services to the needs of the population, particularly vulnerable groups.