Introduction

This resource is intended for Registered Nurses (RNs) and Registered Practical Nurses (RPNs). It has been designed to teach nurses how to conduct a foot risk assessment for clients with known diabetes, provide basic education for the prevention of foot ulcers and refer clients at higher risk for foot ulcers or amputation to specialist resources. The program complements the RNAO Best Practice Guideline, Reducing Foot Complications for People with Diabetes (2004).

The written materials are divided into a Facilitator Package and a Participant Package. In addition, visual resources of foot complications are provided in PowerPoint files. In order to conduct a workshop, the facilitator will require these resources as well as non-latex gloves and monofi laments. The suggested approach is as follows:

1. Provide each participant with a Participant’s Package and suggest that he or she completes the pre-test at the front of the package to identify personal learning needs. (The test is retained by the participant.) This step can be done as participants arrive for the session.
2. After a brief introduction, discuss the assessment process and demonstrate the assessment techniques on a volunteer (this can be a participant or workshop assistant). Use an interactive approach to facilitate participant input. Refer participants to the written material in their package. Discuss how to complete the screening summary, appropriate education and referral to local resources. Integrate information from the pre- and post-test into the demonstration-discussion. Refer participants to the Best Practice Guideline for a discussion of the evidence, where appropriate. Post the pictures of the diabetic foot or make available on a PowerPoint presentation so that participants can refer to them as needed.
3. 3 Invite the participants to conduct a return demonstration by working together in small groups, using one person as a volunteer ‘client’. Advise the participants that their package contains the materials to structure the assessment. The facilitator is encouraged to link the content to the pre- and post-test material.
4. Briefly summarize the assessment process using the five key risk factors, emphasize the importance of education, referral to local resources and documentation.
5. Conclude the workshop by inviting participants to complete the post-test and workshop evaluation.
   

The suggested time for the workshop is one hour.

Download:

• Facilitator's Guide [PDF - 1.63 MB]
• Participant's Package [PDF - 1.53 MB]
• Images of the Diabetic Foot [PDF - 2.43 MB] | PowerPoint [PPT - 741 KB]

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