A strategy to improve comprehensive care for patients with diabetic foot in Carabobo, Venezuela

Abstract

Introduction: In 2011, in the Venezuelan state of Carabobo there were two Diabetic Foot Care Units that were not enough to guarantee care. At that time, a lack of knowledge about diabetic foot was detected in health professionals.

Objective: To improve the comprehensive care of patients with diabetic foot in Carabobo in the period 2011-2017.

Methods: With an explanatory and mixed approach, the strategy was addressed. This included: an educational intervention in more than 101 professionals, the Fisrt Scientific Conference, the socialization of the subject through the documentary "Humanism in Health" and the establishment by consensus of the integrative vision of care.

Results: The necessary competencies were developed for the satisfactory performance of the professionals in the comprehensive care of patients with diabetic foot. In the First Scientific Conference, 80 talents participated who presented 50 works. The documentary was presented at the III Documentary Film Festival, Guacara 2012, which motivated the interest of the attendees. It was specified that specialized comprehensive care would be provided in the units and Heberprot-P® would be applied; and that these were strengthened through coordination with other missions (José Gregorio, Deportiva, Sonrisa and Milagro) and Programs-Directions (cardiovascular, renal and anti-smoking). 14 units were opened/strengthened and more than 12,246 patients were treated.

Conclusions: The strategy implemented made it possible to extend the Comprehensive Care Units, and apply the growth factor Heberprot-P^®/Espro Nepider^® to thousands of patients with diabetic foot.