Implementation of Evidence-Based Practice in Diabetic Foot Ulcer Care in Healthcare Settings: A Systematic Review.

AIM: To evaluate the evidence for implementation strategies for evidence-based diabetic foot ulcer care in healthcare settings.

BACKGROUND

Evidence-based practice in diabetic foot ulcer care improves healing rates and reduces complications. However, facilitating the uptake of evidence-based practice is challenging. To overcome this, a number of different strategies are used. However, there is little literature to support which strategies are effective in implementing evidence-based practice in diabetic foot ulcer care in healthcare settings.

METHOD: A systematic search was undertaken of Medline, PubMed, CINAHL, Cochrane Library databases, APA Psych INFO, Health & Medical Collection, India Database, Nursing & Allied Health Database and Google Scholar from 24 March 2010 to 01 May 2023. Original, English language, peer-reviewed research articles and systematic reviews that relate to the implementation of diabetic foot ulcer care in any healthcare settings with healthcare professionals were included in the review. The Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA-P) 2015 guided the reporting of this review.

RESULTS

A total of 42 articles were included in the final analysis. Implementation strategies such as educational workshops, educational resources, creating champions, audit and feedback, reminders, creating networks and tools were determined to support the implementation of evidence-based strategies for diabetic foot ulcer care.

CONCLUSIONS

The use of multiple implementation strategies aids in the successful implementation of evidence-based diabetic foot ulcer care in healthcare settings.