Equipping and Empowering patients and/or caregivers for self-management of toenails
Care Continuum
Workforce Transformation
Centre for Allied Health & Pharmacy Excellence
National Healthcare Group
31 December 2022
To empower patients and caregivers with tools and training to safely manage toenails at home, reducing podiatry visits. The project demonstrated that empowering patients/caregivers can safely reduce hospital visits and improve toenail management at home.
Year Submitted: 2022
Published Date: 31 December 2022
Tags: Care Continuum, Workforce Transformation, Preventive Care, Patient Education, Informal Workforce Transformation, Caregiver, Chronic Care, Self Care
About this Content
Aims
To empower patients and caregivers with tools and training to safely manage toenails at home, reducing podiatry visits.
Background
Many patients lack the tools and knowledge to manage thickened or mildly diseased toenails, leading to long-term podiatry reliance and complications.
Methods
Recruited 20 trainees (patients or caregivers) through podiatry clinics. Delivered a 6-month training program with personalized coaching, assessments, and practical sessions using specialized tools.
Results
>70% of trainees successfully completed the program. Trainees reported high satisfaction, stating the training was safe, manageable, and tools were easy to use.
Conclusion
The project demonstrated that empowering patients/caregivers can safely reduce hospital visits and improve toenail management at home.
Lessons Learnt
Patient/caregiver selection was key for training success. Feedback suggested offering materials in multiple languages and involving family members for self-managing patients.
Additional Information
Wider adoption can reduce podiatry workload, focusing resources on complex cases.
Keywords
Workforce Transformation, Self-Management, Caregiver Training, Podiatry, Toenail Management, Patient Empowerment, Outpatient Care, TTSH
Innovators' Details
Innovators' Details
Healthcare Cluster(s) | National Healthcare Group |
Organization(s) Involved | Tan Tock Seng Hospital |
Platform(s) | Centre for Allied Health & Pharmacy Excellence |
Healthcare Professional Group(s) | Allied Health |
Applicable Specialty or Discipline | Podiatry |
Project Lead(s) | Kenneth Koh Shi En |
Project Member(s) | Ng Chuan Guan |
Connect with this contributor!
Kenneth Koh Shi En - Kenneth_Koh@ttsh.com.sg
Project Attachment
383_TTSH_CAPE_Grant_Equipp_n_Empower_patients_caregivers_for_self_management_of_toenails.pdf