Foot Care in Care Homes

Overview

The aim of this observational study is to: (1) describe current knowledge and practices related to foot care in care homes; (2) understand how care home staff, residents and/or family caregivers perceive foot care knowledge and practices. For the first study, the investigators are conducting a survey, and this will involve recruiting care staff working in care homes, managers of care homes, and staff in regular contact with care home residents (e.g. clinicians). The second study will involve interviews with care home staff (carers, care home managers and health professionals) and care home residents and/or their family representative.

Around 430,000 older adults live in care homes in England, and many are living with long-term health conditions like diabetes and heart disease. Foot problems are also very common and affect one in four. Care home staff have an important role in the early detection and prevention of foot problems but have no training in foot care. The aim of this study is to: (1) describe current knowledge and practices related to foot care in care homes; (2) understand how care home staf, residents and/or family caregivers perceive foot care knowledge and practices. This work will help to establish how care staff can be supported to develop new knowledge in foot care. This project will involve two linked studies. For the first study, an England-wide electronic survey will be conducted, and this will involve recruiting care staff working in care homes, managers of care homes, and staff in regular contact with care home residents. The second study will involve interviews with care home staff (carers, care home managers and health professionals) and care home residents and/or family members. Data collection for the first study will involve completion of an online survey. The second study will involve interviews, which will be conducted online and/or in the care home. The study will last for 18 months. For the survey, care home staff will participate via an electronic device (such on a laptop or smartphone). The interview study will involve one-to-one interviews, and these will be conducted in person, or online. The study is funded by the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR) \[Programme Development Grant (NIHR502941)\]. The views expressed are those of the author(s) and not necessarily those of the NIHR or the Department of Health and Social Care.