Management of the Diabetic Foot in Practice

Overview

Management of the Diabetic Foot in Practice is a comprehensive, clinically focused course designed to equip healthcare professionals with the essential knowledge and practical skills required to effectively assess, prevent and manage diabetic foot complications. With diabetes being a leading cause of lower-limb ulceration and amputation, early identification, evidence-based intervention and multidisciplinary collaboration are critical to improving patient outcomes.

This course aims to equip the health professional with the necessary knowledge to holistically assess and manage the diabetic patient with foot ulcers and other wounds. Foot assessment, vascular assessment and callus debridement practical sessions included.

Brochure

Prerequisite

To enroll in this course delegates must hold one of the following healthcare qualifications:

• Degree/Diploma in Nursing with a registration as professional nurse at the SANC according to the Nursing Act, Act No. 33 of 2005
• Professional registration with the Health Professions Council of South Africa (HPCSA) in terms of the Health Professions Act, Act 56 of 1974

      And completed one of the following:

• Short course in Wound Care by FPD & Eloquent.
• Holistic Wound Management by UFS.
• More than 3 years practical experience in the field of wound care.

Aim of the course:

• to establish the necessary knowledge of the etiology & management of the diabetic foot.
• to enable the candidate to apply the key principles of wound care to patients with diabetic foot ulcerations as well as associated foot deformities and conditions of the diabetic foot.

Successful candidates will be competent in:

• Identifying and describing the different types of diabetes and the incidence and prevalence thereof.
• Improved knowledge and skills regarding the anatomy, physiology and etiology behind diabetic foot ulceration.
• Performing a risk screen for the diabetic foot including a vascular examination.
• Application of national & international guidelines.
• Implementing a treatment plan for diabetic foot management.
• Wound bed preparation in the diabetic foot, including debridement, infection control, moisture control and edge advancement.
• The skills to remove callous and devitalised tissue.
• Utilising the various off-loading mechanisms available within the management of diabetic foot ulcers.
• Understanding the role of the multi-disciplinary team.

Target Audience

The course is designed for Health Professionals such as MBChB, BCur or equivalent, Diploma in Nursing, BScHons Podiatry, BPharm, BSc Physiotherapy, BSc Occupational Therapy and other Allied Health Professionals postgraduate. The course does not exclude company representatives who would benefit from the knowledge acquired in their field of work. In the case of a representative with no clinical background the certificate will be an attendance certificate only and will not allow the representative to practice as a wound care clinician.

Evaluation

Formative Assessment is done through:

• Case study representation and group sessions.
• 4 Hour practical session after completion of module at and accredited Wound Care Facility.

Summative Assessment is done through:

• Pre- and post-course test. Minimum pass rate for post-test is 75%.
• Final Eloquent examination to be written online after completion of all the various courses. Minimum Pass rate is 75%.