NCT06004219

Peer Support for Patients With Diabetic Foot Ulcers

Peer Support in Patients With Diabetic Foot Ulceration

• Status: Unknown
• Phase: N/A
• Study type: Interventional
• Enrollment: 24 (estimated)
• Sponsor: Casa Colina Hospital and Centers for Healthcare · Academic / Other
• Sex: All
• Age: 18 Years
• Healthy volunteers: Accepted

Summary

The objective of the study is to develop a peer support program that helps improve ulcer care in patients with a diabetic foot ulcer (DFU).Diabetes, peripheral arterial disease (PAD), foot ulceration, and subsequent amputation are unevenly patterned in terms of racial/ethnicity, socioeconomic status, health insurance, and geographic area. The project will identify opportunities to reduce health disparities among economically marginalized patients regarding DFU outcomes.

Detailed description

Of the estimated 30 million people in the U.S. with diabetes, 34% will develop a DFU in their lifetime, and 50% of those with a DFU have concurrent PAD. Foot ulceration, which precedes 80% of amputations in diabetics, is associated with impaired physical function, reduced quality of life, and increased risk of death. Moreover, PAD, DFU, and subsequent major amputations are unevenly patterned in terms of racial/ethnic, SES, health insurance, and geographic status. More specifically, Black and Hispanic adults with an ischemic DFU have a higher prevalence of amputation than their White counterparts. The mechanisms of these observed disparities in amputation, beyond disease severity and comorbidities, are complex. However, evidence indicates that ulcer care (including wound care, diabetic shoe, offloading, and recognizing warning signs) is a significant challenge for low-income patients with an ischemic DFU. In addition, our team and other researchers have demonstrated how psychological, interpersonal, social, and healthcare system-level barriers limit appropriate ulcer and foot care. Furthermore, our qualitative data demonstrates a high rate of psychological and interpersonal factors to diabetic foot care that cannot be ignored. Clearly, there is a compelling need for innovative methods to improve DFU care that are based on health equity that led to diverse support. To address this gap, we propose a patient-centered and culturally tailored Peer-Pal Intervention (PPI) that helps promote ulcer care in patients with a DFU, while minimizing the burden placed on system resources.

Conditions

• Diabetic Foot Ulcer
• Diabetic Wound
• Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2
• Diabetic Foot
• Diabetes Complications
• Peripheral Neuropathy

Interventions

Type	Name	Description
BEHAVIORAL	Peer counseling group	A community advisory board (CAB) will be set up for need assessment and to design the peer support program. Virtual meetings will be held quarterly for year 1 and 2. The group will consist of (up to 12 members) and will include at least 2 patient partners (patients with a recently diagnosed ulcer), 2 peer pals (patients with a healed DFU), family members or caregivers (limited to only 1 person per family represented on the CAB), healthcare workers (podiatrist, nurse, or case manager), medical equipment company representatives, and others. We will ask them about potential barriers at the first meeting, have flexible meeting times, and intentionally limit the number of healthcare providers. At the last meeting, we will seek feedback and input from the CAB. In addition, this group will have the opportunity to participate in a focus group which will be moderated with a trained, bilingual assistant and will last 40-60 minutes.

Timeline

• Start date: 2023-11-21
• Primary completion: 2024-10-01
• Completion: 2025-01-30
• First posted: 2023-08-22
• Last updated: 2023-12-06

Locations

3 sites across 1 country: United States