Diabetic foot care and management approaches during the global COVID-19 pandemic according to the international working group on the diabetic foot (IWGDF) guidelines

ABSTRACT

Introduction: Due to the current unpredictable changes following the global coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic, significant changes have taken place in the healthcare systems. Most of the clinical and evidence-based care services for patients with diabetic foot has been disrupted. Therefore, many patients with diabetic foot ulcers cannot receive the necessary care, despite its great significance. All healthcare providers, including physicians and nurses, have difficult tasks and responsibilities during the COVID-19 crisis. Although patients with diabetic feet are at risk of infection, hospitalization, amputation, and death, they must remain out of hospitals, and distance educational and therapeutic services must be provided for them. This study aimed to introduce and describe the recommendations of the International Working Group on the Diabetic Foot (IWGDF) for the care of patients with diabetic feet during the new COVID-19 pandemic.