How patients interpret early signs of foot problems and reasons for delays in care: Findings from interviews with patients who have undergone toe amputations

• DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0248310
• Publication Date: 2021-03-10T18:42:22Z
• Authors: Alyson J. Littman; Jessica Young; Megan Moldestad; Chin-Lin Tseng; Joseph R. Czerniecki; Gregory J. Landry; Jeffrey Robbins; Edward J. Boyko; Michael P. Dillon
• Keywords: Foot (prosody); Foot care

Aims To describe how patients respond to early signs of foot problems and the factors that result in delays care. Methods Semi-structured interviews were conducted with a large sample Veterans from across United States diabetes mellitus who had undergone toe amputation. Data analyzed using inductive content analysis. Results We interviewed 61 male patients. Mean age was 66 years, 41% married, 37% high school education or less. The patient-level related delayed care included: 1) not knowing something wrong, 2) misinterpreting symptoms, 3) “sudden” “unexpected” illness progression, 4) competing priorities getting way care-seeking. system-level 5) asking watch it, 6) difficulty right type when needed, 7) distance other transportation barriers. Conclusion A confluence patient (e.g., examining their feet regularly thoroughly and/or acting quickly they noticed wrong) system absence mechanism support patient’s appraisal lack access timely convenient-located appointments) Identifying patient- interventions can shorten eliminate could help reduce rates limb loss.