MEDIS: Providing innovative and social support for people with diabetes

Not everyone with diabetes is able to carry out daily self-care, such as checking their feet, independently. Support from informal carers, healthcare professionals and people with similar experiences can help with this. MEDIS is a follow-up to the further development of the Diabetes Foot Check app within the Technology Support for Diabetes project. The consortium behind that project combined its expertise in digital innovation with that of the Herstelcirkel++ consortium, which investigated social support and peer-to-peer contact. By combining the successful elements of both projects, we aimed to strengthen self-care and self-reliance among people with diabetes, whilst also providing better support to those around them.

At MEDIS, we investigated how the Voetencheck app can support healthcare professionals, carers and informal carers in providing foot care for people with diabetes. We also explored what other tools and forms of support can help informal carers when looking after a loved one with diabetes.

In a parallel project, we investigated and evaluated the new role of the podiatry assistant, paying particular attention to the social support experienced by patients. To this end, we used questionnaires, interviews and focus groups with patients, podiatry assistants and podiatrists. We discussed the findings in working sessions and translated them into improvements to working methods, supervision and training.

The exploratory study showed that a separate, additional app for care staff in residential and care homes could also place an extra burden on them. Consequently, the focus shifted to informal carers, who, with clear instructions and professional support, can assist with foot checks, taking useful photographs and maintaining self-monitoring. The broader lesson is that technology must fit in with day-to-day care and support the user rather than placing an additional burden on them.

In the evaluation involving 138 patients, the social support provided by the podiatry assistant was generally viewed positively. Patients particularly appreciated the approachable manner, clear explanations, repetition of advice and the feeling that someone was looking out for them. At the same time, remembering advice, motivational support and allowing sufficient time for social support emerged as key areas for attention.

The insights gained from MEDIS have led to the establishment of Diabetes Praat Cafés, where patients and carers come together in a practical setting. These meetings provide a space to gather and share information, exchange experiences and learn from one another. Recognition, acknowledgement and the feeling of not being alone are central to this. The podiatry assistant facilitates the discussion and encourages participants to support one another, with the participants’ own contributions forming the basis of the session. The research findings have also been incorporated into the initial and continuing training of podiatry assistants, including guidance on facilitating group sessions.

Social support, diabetes, self-care, self-reliance

Partner organisations: Rondom, Fontys University of Applied Sciences, HAN University of Applied Sciences, Stichting Je Leefstijl Als Medicijn and Fitcoin Health Communities.

Funding body: Regieorgaan SIA, via the Extramural Care Scheme.

The role of the Podiatry Assistant in supporting patients to manage the health of their feet themselves
Roy van den Heuvel, Lydia Willemse, Wouter Meeuwis and Miranda van Mol (2026). Conference abstract for the Global Podiatry Summit 2026 on the social support experienced by podiatry assistants.