The Impact of a demonstrative Educational and Preventive Foot Care Centre for Subjects with Diabetes” in the first-line ambulatory healthcare center “CAA Cotocollao” pertaining to the National Social Security in Quito, Ecuador.

The BRIDGES RN13-012 project evaluated the impact of a foot care education and prevention center for people with diabetes at CAA Cotocollao in Quito, Ecuador. It combined baseline assessment, health personnel training, and patient education to improve early detection and management of diabetic foot complications. Over 440 patients were evaluated and more than 25 health professionals trained. Post-intervention results showed significant improvements in patients’ knowledge and in clinical practices, including foot examinations and referrals. The project demonstrated the feasibility and benefits of integrating preventive foot care into primary care, supporting long-term strategies for chronic disease management.

Objectives:
Main objective was to demonstrate the effectiveness of education, screening and early care for the prevention of serious foot complications among subjects with diabetes at a first –line outpatient healthcare center in Quito.
Specific Objectives:
- Measure the magnitude, in terms of frequency and level of severity, of foot complications among diabetic patients.
- Analyze knowledge, practices and attitude of patients regarding self-care of their feet and detection of warning signs.
- Analyze knowledge, practices and attitude of health personnel regarding preventive measures, early detection and adequate care of foot complications.
- Analyze contents, methodologies and outputs of educational activities aimed to improve diabetic patient´s foot care.
- Compare baseline situation with data obtained from post-intervention assessment.
- Describe factors influencing the implementation of the intervention strategy, as well as changes needed to adapt the international proposal to the local context.

Diabetic Foot; Health Education; Primary Health Care; Foot Ulcer