Telemedicine follow-up enables more comprehensive diabetes foot ulcer care, according to a study published online Nov. 29 in the Journal of Clinical Nursing.
Beate-Christin Hope Kolltveit, R.N., from the Western Norway University of Applied Science in Bergen, and colleagues assessed the implications of telemedicine adoption for diabetes-related foot care on health professionals through field observation and interviews.
The researchers found that use of telemedicine in home-based care was more challenging than in the outpatient clinic setting. Healthcare professionals in both the hospital and home care contexts felt that telemedicine facilitated a more comprehensive approach towards the patients, but acknowledged the need for modified applications depending on the setting.
“Introducing more updated equipment and minor structural adjustments in consultation time and resources could make the use of telemedicine in home-based care more robust,” the authors write.
