267256 Assessment of podiatric medical care in the aging population of Maricopa County, Arizona

Tuesday, October 30, 2012 : 12:30 PM - 12:50 PM

Lance Wissman, DPM , College of Health Sciences/Arizona School of Podiatric Medicine, Midwestern University, Glendale, AZ
Rebecca Smith, DPM , Podiatry Department, Scott and White Healthcare System/Texas A&M Health Sciences Center, Temple, TX
Jeffrey Page, DPM , College of Health Sciences/Arizona School of Podiatric Medicine, Midwestern University, Glendale, AZ
Anthony Maiolino, MPH , Arizona School of Podiatric Medicine, Midwestern University, Glendale, AZ
The objective of this study is to gain an understanding of the utilization patterns of podiatric medical services in the aging population of Maricopa County, Arizona. The program was carried out from January of 2008 through June of 2011 involving 1,590 individuals who were examined at senior centers throughout Maricopa County. We will only include data collected on participants over the age of 50. Data collected from the foot screenings: 1. whether or not they are currently under a podiatrist's care; 2. whether or not they have been seen by a podiatrist in the past; 3. the source of referral for the individual to their podiatrist; 4. utilization of other professionals for foot and ankle care; 5. observational data regarding specific foot pathology encountered during the screenings; 6. persons with diabetes who have foot complications that are not under regular care with a podiatrist; 7. non-diabetics with peripheral vascular disease who are not under current care by a podiatrist; 8. participants recommended for follow up exam and/or treatment for painful foot/ankle disorders Preliminary results to this point include an average age of 73; 13.7% are currently under a podiatrist's care; 28.5% have diabetes; 63.3% require follow up care; 53.1% have complains of foot/ankle pain.

Learning Areas:
Advocacy for health and health education
Assessment of individual and community needs for health education
Conduct evaluation related to programs, research, and other areas of practice
Other professions or practice related to public health
Provision of health care to the public
Public health or related research

Learning Objectives:
Assess the number of participants currently under a podiatrist's care Assess the number of participants that have been seen by a podiatrist in the past Assess the numbers of various referral souces to the podiatrist Assess the number of participants who utilized other professionals for foot care Assess the numbers of common foot pathologies observed in the participants Assess the number of diabetic participants not currently under podiatry care Assess the number of non-diabetic participants with peripheral vascular disease not currently under podiatry care Assess the number of participants recommended for follow up exam and/ or treatment of painful foot/ankle disorders

Keywords: Access and Services, Aging

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

Qualified on the content I am responsible for because: I am the principal investigator of the study for which I am submitting the abstract. I am an associate professor at the Arizona School of Podiatric Medicine at Midwestern University, Glendale, Arizona. I am a licensed podiatrist in Arizona. I was involved in the collection of the majority of data through a foot screening program for the Area Agency on Aging senior health promotion program, Maricopa County, Arizona.
Any relevant financial relationships? No

I agree to comply with the American Public Health Association Conflict of Interest and Commercial Support Guidelines, and to disclose to the participants any off-label or experimental uses of a commercial product or service discussed in my presentation.