Insights Into Self-Care of Feet When Living With Diabetes: A Phenomenological Hermeneutic Interview Study.
Kristofer Björk, Henrik Eriksson, Ulla Hellstrand Tang and 1 others
PMID 42093575WHAT IT FOUND
People with diabetes described foot self-care as learned through relationships, bodily signals and their own questions, not just instructions.
They said clear, engaged care and family help made routines easier.
Key findings
01Participants described learning about foot self-care through healthcare professionals, family members and informal networks.
02Numbness, pain or visible changes in the feet made the illness tangible and prompted action.
03Participants said clear explanations from healthcare professionals helped them understand why foot self-care mattered and supported motivation.
STILL TO COME
How it was doneWhat they foundWhat it means for RNs
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What it does not show
The sample was small and self-selected: 11 people recruited through a diabetes magazine and snowball sampling, which may attract those willing to share personal reflections. The study was conducted in Sweden and required Swedish language, so the findings may not transfer to other settings. The study describes experiences and learning, not foot outcomes such as ulcers or complication prevention. The interviewer was a registered nurse and researcher, which may have shaped the interviews, although personal and professional background was withheld before data collection.
Declared interests
The work was supported by the Swedish Research Council through SHIFT CARE. The authors declared no conflicts of interest.
The easy way to misread this
Do not read these themes as proof that a particular foot education programme prevents ulcers or improves self-care. The study interviewed 11 people about their experiences and did not test an intervention.