Telemedicine treatment of diabetic foot ulcers

NewsBot · Jul 3, 2025

Telemedical Treatment of Diabetic Foot Ulcer in Rural and Remote Areas: A Prospective Single Centre Randomised Controlled Clinical Trial
Usman H Malabu, Venkat N Vangaveti, Julie Goodall, Jacqueline Bulbrook et al
Source

Objectives
The role of telemedical treatment for patients with diabetic foot ulcers residing in rural areas remains uncertain. Therefore, our objective was to conduct a randomized controlled trial comparing the effectiveness of telemedical treatment in rural settings with the standard tertiary healthcare approach for managing diabetic foot ulcers.

Methods
The study was conducted between 2016 and 2022. Participants were randomly assigned 2:1 to either face-to-face usual care (UC) group or telemedical treatment group. The protocol for the telemedical treatment group involved fortnightly consultations conducted by a locally trained nurse in the patients’ rural hospital over 12 weeks compared to similar protocol for face-to-face podiatrist-treated UC group. The primary endpoints were complete healing of the ulcer or limb amputation while secondary outcomes included circulating markers of inflammation as a marker of wound healing.

Results
One hundred and fifty-one participants out of 232 met the inclusion criteria and 50 were randomised to telemedical treatment group and 101 to the UC group. The clinical and demographic characteristics of the participants were similar in both groups. Following 12 weeks of treatment, we observed that complete ulcer healing was achieved in 16 out of 50 individuals (32%) in the telemedical treatment group, while 28 out of 101 individuals (28%) in the UC group achieved the same outcome (p = 0.58).

Conclusions
Our study found no significant differences in wound healing and amputation outcomes between nurse-led telemedicine in rural settings and usual care for diabetic foot ulcers. This promising result suggests that telemedicine could be a viable option for rural patients; however, further research exploring other clinically relevant endpoints and vulnerable subgroups is needed to solidify its role.
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NewsBot · Jul 4, 2025

Telemedical treatment of diabetic foot ulcer in rural and remote areas: a prospective single centre randomised controlled clinical trial
Usman H Malabu et al
Diabetol Metab Syndr. 2025 Jul 2;17(1):246.

Objectives: The role of telemedical treatment for patients with diabetic foot ulcers residing in rural areas remains uncertain. Therefore, our objective was to conduct a randomized controlled trial comparing the effectiveness of telemedical treatment in rural settings with the standard tertiary healthcare approach for managing diabetic foot ulcers.

Methods: The study was conducted between 2016 and 2022. Participants were randomly assigned 2:1 to either face-to-face usual care (UC) group or telemedical treatment group. The protocol for the telemedical treatment group involved fortnightly consultations conducted by a locally trained nurse in the patients' rural hospital over 12 weeks compared to similar protocol for face-to-face podiatrist-treated UC group. The primary endpoints were complete healing of the ulcer or limb amputation while secondary outcomes included circulating markers of inflammation as a marker of wound healing.

Results: One hundred and fifty-one participants out of 232 met the inclusion criteria and 50 were randomised to telemedical treatment group and 101 to the UC group. The clinical and demographic characteristics of the participants were similar in both groups. Following 12 weeks of treatment, we observed that complete ulcer healing was achieved in 16 out of 50 individuals (32%) in the telemedical treatment group, while 28 out of 101 individuals (28%) in the UC group achieved the same outcome (p = 0.58). Amputation rates were 23% (11/50) in the telemedicine and 25% (23/101) in the UC group (p = 0.080).

Conclusions: Our study found no statistically significant differences in wound healing (32% vs. 28%, p = 0.58) or amputation rates (23% vs. 25%, p = 0.80) between nurse-led telemedicine in rural settings and usual care for diabetic foot ulcers over 12 weeks. This promising result suggests that telemedicine could be a viable option for rural patients; however, further research exploring other clinically relevant endpoints and vulnerable subgroups is needed to solidify its role.

The known: Diabetic foot ulcers pose a significant burden on rural and remote communities with limited access to specialists' care and high limb amputation rates.

The new: Our randomised controlled trial demonstrated that nurse-led telemedicine in rural hospitals is equally effective as podiatrist care in tertiary hospitals for healing diabetic foot ulcers within 12 weeks. Key ulcer measurements and wound healing biomarkers further support this finding.

The implications: Telemedicine offers a viable solution for management of diabetic foot ulcer in rural and remote areas. It has the potential to enhance patient outcomes and significantly reduce healthcare disparities.
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NewsBot · Nov 11, 2025

The introduction of podiatric telemedicine for wound care management -- an alternate model of care.
Mercieca, Lisa Ann Stojmanovski; Chockalingam, Nachiappan; Formosa, Cynthia; Chockalinga, Nachiappan
Source

Telemedicine has been a fundamental component of healthcare for many decades, although its widespread adoption significantly accelerated during the COVID-19 pandemic. This unprecedented global health crisis compelled healthcare institutions to rapidly innovate and shift to remote care options, highlighting the potential of virtual healthcare delivery. This article seeks to look at the emergence of podiatric telemedicine for the management of high-risk feet as an alternate model of care to help reach more high-risk patients in a timely manner. By concentrating on this specific field, we aim to put forward the implementation of podiatric telemedicine as a viable supplementary service for high-risk patients. Researchers and healthcare professionals should work towards implementing such services aimed at preventing complications in the high-risk foot by offering timely care and advice.
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NewsBot · Dec 5, 2025 at 9:56 PM

Application of telemedicine in home healthcare for patients with diabetic foot ulcers: a randomised controlled study
Yu Hai-Ping et al
J Wound Care. 2025 Dec 2;34(12):1013-1022.

Objective: To evaluate the effectiveness of telemedicine in home healthcare for patients with diabetic foot ulcers (DFUs) on wound healing time, wound score and patient self-management.

Method: Participants with DFUs were randomly assigned to either the study group (telemedicine in home healthcare) or to the control group (outpatient face-to-face care). Time to wound healing was identified as the primary outcome.

Results: Overall, 74 patients were randomised, and 64 patients were included in the study in the per-protocol analysis (32 patients in the study group and 32 patients in the control group). No significant difference was found in wound healing time between the two groups. Following eight weeks of treatment, there was also no difference in wound score between the two groups. However, the study group showed improved self-management of DFUs compared to the control group.

Conclusion: In this study, the use of telemedicine in home healthcare for patients with DFUs showed promising results in promoting wound healing, which was comparable to the effects of outpatient face-to-face care. Additionally, it was found to enhance self-management behaviour among patients with DFUs, indicating positive development prospects for this approach. In the future, it would be beneficial to explore the potential of developing a smartphone app specifically designed for wound care to enhance the effectiveness of telemedicine-based hard-to-heal (chronic) wound care services.
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Telemedicine treatment of diabetic foot ulcers

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Telemedicine treatment of diabetic foot ulcers

NewsBot The Admin that posts the news.

NewsBot The Admin that posts the news.

NewsBot The Admin that posts the news.

NewsBot The Admin that posts the news.

Accuracy of dermatology telemedicine services

Panel Discussion - Telemedicine, Biologics, Debridement & Woundcare - DFCON 2012

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Treatment of Plantar Fasciitis Based on Unani Perspectives

Treatment of diabetic foot ulcers

Treatment of Plantar Fasciitis for an Individual with an Intellectual Disability

Comprehensive Therapy vs. Standard Treatment in Diabetic Foot Ulcer Healing

Share This Page

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