Foot Health in Chronic Disease Management: Perspectives of Patients, and Family Practice Doctors and Family Nurses (SekMo) 

Project Number: 2021-2027.1.01.25-1205 

Funder: Support for Cross-Sectoral Mobility (SekMo) 

Measure: 2021-2027.1.1 (EK No. 1.1) Scientific and Innovation Capacity, High-Level Technologies 

Duration of the project: 01.09.2025 – 31.08.2029 

Aim of the project:

The aim of the project is to develop a curriculum for podiatry at Tartu Applied Health Sciences University based on an evidence-based scientific foundation. Additionally, the goal is to train a specialist with a doctoral degree who would contribute to the academic development of the university and help raise health awareness in society. 

The aim of this doctoral study is to explore foot health management in family practice among patients with chronic health conditions (diabetes, cardiovascular diseases, rheumatoid arthritis, Parkinson’s disease, and gout). Research questions are:  

1. How do patients perceive and manage their foot health, and what are their experiences with support and care in primary healthcare settings?  
2. How do family practice physicians and nurses assess and manage foot healthcare and service, and what are the barriers and facilitators to routine foot assessments?  
3. What consensus can be reached among experts regarding the adaptation of internationally validated foot self-assessment instruments for implementation in the Estonian primary healthcare system? 

Grant Amount: €138,062.40 

Total Project Cost: €197,232 

Principal Investigator: maria.suits@tartuh.ee