Toe and flow: essential components and structure of the amputation prevention team

Area of Science:

• Podiatry
• Vascular Surgery
• Diabetology

Background:

• Diabetic foot complications are common, involving neuropathy, vasculopathy, and infection.
• Effective management necessitates an interdisciplinary approach to address this triad.
• The unique anatomy of the foot makes it susceptible to these issues in diabetic patients.

Purpose of the Study:

• To identify key factors contributing to diabetic foot complications.
• To define essential skill sets for interdisciplinary care teams.
• To present various models for managing diabetic foot complications.

Main Methods:

• Review of factors leading to diabetic foot complications.
• Description of skill sets for effective team assembly.
• Outline of three care models: basic, intermediate, and center of excellence.
• Specific focus on the "toe and flow" model integrating podiatry and vascular surgery.

Main Results:

• Identification of critical factors and team skill requirements.
• Presentation of the "toe and flow" model as a conjoined approach.
• Detailed description of three scalable care models for diverse settings.

Conclusions:

• Interdisciplinary collaboration is crucial for managing diabetic foot complications.
• The "toe and flow" model offers a specialized approach.
• Scalable care models can be implemented globally to improve outcomes for diabetic foot patients.