Implementation of image-based care within medical foot care

With this project, we aim to reduce the workload for healthcare professionals and increase the self-reliance of people with diabetes. We are investigating how video calls can help reduce unnecessary face-to-face foot checks, whilst ensuring patients receive the care and support they need. During a video consultation, the patient and podiatrist can consult directly, discuss any further questions and determine whether a face-to-face appointment is necessary. The aim is not to organise all care remotely, but to combine digital and face-to-face care in an appropriate way. Our guiding principle is therefore: digital where possible and appropriate, face-to-face where necessary.

The project combines research into everyday healthcare practice with the integration of existing video-calling technology. Together with diabetes podiatrists and patients, we are identifying their wishes, needs and potential barriers to video-based care. This contextual analysis helps us to tailor the technology and working methods to suit both groups. In parallel, we are integrating video calling into the electronic patient record (EPR) for healthcare providers and the Rondom app for patients, so that they can participate from their familiar digital environment. The approach also includes user testing, training, patient instructions and working arrangements to make video consultations a structural part of healthcare provision. With support from Fontys, we are evaluating usage, the experiences of patients and healthcare professionals, and the effects on, amongst other things, workload and the number of face-to-face consultations.

The project is currently in the context analysis and technical integration phase. We are gathering the wishes and needs of diabetes podiatrists and patients to establish what they require to make video care pleasant and easy to use. At the same time, we are working on integrating video calls into the EPD and the Rondom app. The next steps involve testing the application with users, processing their feedback and supporting its implementation in daily practice. During the evaluation, we will then investigate the extent to which this approach contributes to reducing unnecessary physical check-ups, alleviating the workload and enhancing the patient care experience.

Visual care, video calls, medical foot care, diabetes, hybrid care, self-reliance, reducing workload

Partner organisations: Rondom, Fontys Paramedisch and CZ.

Technical collaboration: Stofloos for the integration and support of video-calling technology.

The project is funded by the Netherlands Enterprise Agency (RVO) under the Technology in Support and Care Incentive Scheme (STOZ).

We wish to share the approach, experiences and results of the project through reports, specialist publications and presentations for healthcare professionals and partners. Links to public publications, reports and presentations will be added here as soon as they become available.