[The Patient's Voice in University Podiatry: A Qualitative Study]

Assessing quality of care from the patient's perspective is key to improving health services. In university podiatry, this perspective has been little explored, despite its relevance for guiding person-centred teaching and clinical practice. The aim of this study was to describe patients' care experience in a university podiatry clinic and to identify the factors associated with their perceived satisfaction.

Qualitative exploratory-descriptive study conducted at the University Podiatry Clinic of the University of A Coruña (Spain). Thirty-one adult patients participated, selected through purposive theoretical sampling. Individual semi-structured interviews were carried out and complemented with field notes. Data were analysed using Colaizzi's method within a phenomenological framework, until theoretical saturation was reached.

The care experience was structured around six thematic axes: clinical aspects, interpersonal care, infrastructures, accessibility, characteristics of the centre and clinical experience. Patients reported high perceived satisfaction, highlighting the warmth of the interpersonal care, the clarity of communication and the confidence derived from clinical supervision. The free-of-charge nature of the service and its university setting were valued as added-value elements. The main areas for improvement were the waiting time for the first appointment in the orthopodiatry service and continuity of care between academic terms.

University podiatry care is perceived as approachable, effective and technically adequate. The educational model, combined with high-quality interpersonal care, shapes a highly valued care experience and provides useful insights for defining quality standards in university clinical settings.