Feasibility of the use of a ‘barometer of foot health'
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Acceptability and feasibility of the use of a ‘barometer of foot health needs’ in primary care to signpost people who have arthritis towards appropriate foot health management.
IRAS ID
265543
Contact name
Catherine Bowen
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
University of Southampton
Clinicaltrials.gov Identifier
CRD42015020278, PROSPERO
Duration of Study in the UK
1 years, 11 months, 15 days
Research summary
20 million people in the UK have some form of arthritis. Walking is encouraged for healthy lifestyles, however debilitating foot pain (linked with falling, tripping, weight gain and social isolation) may result in patients ‘walkingthrough foot pain’ to manage problems such as arthritis or heart disease. Confusion exists over accessing foot-careservices as there are no recommendations to show what foot care people with arthritis need. Some patients report that ‘doctors only refer people with diabetes’. As a result many people with arthritis don’t receive foot care which may inhibit a healthy and active lifestyle because they have trouble walking.
This study is Phase 3 of a 3-phase study. Phase 1 involved a systematic review to understand what recommendations for foot-care exist for people with arthritis and analysing data from the GP clinical-practice-research-datalink (CPRD) about foot-care referral patterns for people with arthritis. Phase 2 explored
“What are the perceptions of GPs, patients, podiatrists and commissioners of the barriers and facilitators to following guidelines for foot care for patients with arthritis?”All data points, have led us towards an intervention that is designed to help patients who have OA manage their foot symptoms. Therefore, this final stage of the project aims to test the feasibility of a ‘barometer of foot health needs’ accompanying an ‘advice pack for foot health services’ as an intervention to be delivered at 'first contact' in primary care. In this study we will:
1. Send by post the barometer of foot health needs to patients who have arthritis and foot pain.
2. Survey patients who have arthritis about their foot symptoms through completion of a postal questionnaire at baseline, four weeks and twelve weeks.
3. Ask patients who completed the foot symptoms questionnaires to complete an end of study evaluation about using the 'Barometer of foot health needs' and of participating in the feasibility study.REC name
London - London Bridge Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
19/LO/1587
Date of REC Opinion
16 Dec 2019
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion