Application of tele-podiatry in diabetic foot management: A series of illustrative cases.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: Telemedicine had been proposed as a tool to manage diabetes, but its role in management of diabetic foot ulcer is still evolving. The COVID-19 pandemic and related social restrictions have necessitated the use of telemedicine in the management of diabetic foot disease (tele-podiatry), particularly of patients classified as low-risk. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We present a report of three cases of varied diabetic foot problems assessed during the present pandemic using different forms of telemedicine for triaging, management of low-risk cases and for follow-up. RESULTS: Tele-podiatry was effective in the management of low-risk subjects with diabetic foot ulcer, and also useful in referral of high-risk subjects for hospital/clinic visit, facilitating proper management. It also helped in the follow-up of the cases. CONCLUSION: Telemedicine is a good screening tool for diagnosing and managing low-risk subjects with diabetic foot problems, and also enables a triaging system for deciding on hospital visits and hospitalization. Telemedicine offers several benefits in the management of diabetic foot disease, although it also has some limitations. Based on our experience during the pandemic, we recommend its judicious use in the triaging of patients of diabetic foot disease and management of low-risk cases. Future innovation in technology and artificial intelligence may help in better tele-podiatry care in the time to come.