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Abstract: According to the American Diabetes Association there are 23.6 million diabetics in the United States, 82,000 of which will undergo amputations for non-healing diabetic wounds each year1. With the increased need for screening and patient education, how will already strained healthcare providers meet their patients’ needs?
Patient Impact: Providing care in a private podiatry practice, as a CFCN, has resulted in supplemental risk assessment screenings; earlier detection of lower extremity diseases; and repetitive, comprehensive patient education. The addition of a CFCN has empowered the practice with an additional specialized clinician with the ability to provide both hands on in the office and telephone support for patients at home. For straightforward situations, this benefits the podiatrist to decrease interruptions to answer phone calls. This also provides patients with an efficient support system which increases patient satisfaction. Effective and timely communication between the CFCN and podiatrist is critical for a credulous clinician relationship and safe patient care.
Value-Added Service: Along with the increase in risk assessment screening and patient education, the CFCN can function as an additional community resource. Health fairs and public wellness gatherings are a prime area in which CFCN’s can display their skills and operate as a patient advocate and patient to physician liaison.
Conclusion: Certified Foot and Nail Care (CFCN) Nurses are knowledgeable, skilled, and credible clinicians prepared to provide evaluation of risk assessment; foot and nail treatment; and patient and caregiver education. As with most relatively new medical specialties, CFCN’s must market and emphasize the value of their services.
Patient Impact: Providing care in a private podiatry practice, as a CFCN, has resulted in supplemental risk assessment screenings; earlier detection of lower extremity diseases; and repetitive, comprehensive patient education. The addition of a CFCN has empowered the practice with an additional specialized clinician with the ability to provide both hands on in the office and telephone support for patients at home. For straightforward situations, this benefits the podiatrist to decrease interruptions to answer phone calls. This also provides patients with an efficient support system which increases patient satisfaction. Effective and timely communication between the CFCN and podiatrist is critical for a credulous clinician relationship and safe patient care.
Value-Added Service: Along with the increase in risk assessment screening and patient education, the CFCN can function as an additional community resource. Health fairs and public wellness gatherings are a prime area in which CFCN’s can display their skills and operate as a patient advocate and patient to physician liaison.
Conclusion: Certified Foot and Nail Care (CFCN) Nurses are knowledgeable, skilled, and credible clinicians prepared to provide evaluation of risk assessment; foot and nail treatment; and patient and caregiver education. As with most relatively new medical specialties, CFCN’s must market and emphasize the value of their services.