A Survey on Knowledge, Attitude, and Current Practice in Diabetic Foot Care Among Indian Physiotherapists
Source: PubMed Central Open Access, NCBI / U.S. National Library of Medicine
Background Diabetic foot ulcers are a major complication of diabetes and contribute significantly to morbidity and healthcare burden in India. Physiotherapists play a vital role in prevention and management; however, their knowledge, attitude, and clinical practices in the Indian context remain unexplored. sec-0001 Objective The study is aimed at assessing the knowledge, attitudes, and practices (KAP) of physiotherapists practicing across India regarding diabetic foot care through a national online cross‐sectional survey. sec-0002 Method A cross‐sectional national online survey was conducted from January 2024 to March 2025 among physiotherapists practicing across India. A total of 249 participants were included using a convenience sampling technique. Data were collected using a self‐developed, content‐validated questionnaire consisting of 20 questions across knowledge, attitude, and clinical practice domains. Descriptive statistical analysis was performed using Jamovi (2.6.23). sec-0003 Results A total of 249 respondents from 28 Indian states were included. While 94.8% acknowledged their role in diabetic care, only 41% had received formal training in diabetic foot management. Although most participants identified clinical signs of complications, inconsistencies were observed in interpreting ABI and HbA1c values. Although 98.8% reported providing patient education practices, only 47.4% performed routine foot assessments. Greater clinical experience was associated with better a
Abstract
Background Diabetic foot ulcers are a major complication of diabetes and contribute significantly to morbidity and healthcare burden in India. Physiotherapists play a vital role in prevention and management; however, their knowledge, attitude, and clinical practices in the Indian context remain unexplored. sec-0001 Objective The study is aimed at assessing the knowledge, attitudes, and practices (KAP) of physiotherapists practicing across India regarding diabetic foot care through a national online cross‐sectional survey. sec-0002 Method A cross‐sectional national online survey was conducted from January 2024 to March 2025 among physiotherapists practicing across India. A total of 249 participants were included using a convenience sampling technique. Data were collected using a self‐developed, content‐validated questionnaire consisting of 20 questions across knowledge, attitude, and clinical practice domains. Descriptive statistical analysis was performed using Jamovi (2.6.23). sec-0003 Results A total of 249 respondents from 28 Indian states were included. While 94.8% acknowledged their role in diabetic care, only 41% had received formal training in diabetic foot management. Although most participants identified clinical signs of complications, inconsistencies were observed in interpreting ABI and HbA1c values. Although 98.8% reported providing patient education practices, only 47.4% performed routine foot assessments. Greater clinical experience was associated with better application of knowledge in practice. sec-0004 Conclusion Indian physiotherapists demonstrate positive attitudes toward diabetic foot care; however, gaps remain in formal training and consistent clinical practice persist. Strengthening structured education and developing standardized clinical guidelines are essential to improve practice. sec-0005