A Systematic Review of How Educational Interventions Impact Nurses' Knowledge About Caring for and Preventing Diabetic Foot Ulcers in Healthcare Settings

Abstract

Abstract Background Diabetes affects 537 million people globally and 17.7% of adults in Saudi Arabia (IDF, 2023) alone. Consequently, diabetic foot ulcers (DFUs) have become common complications of this disease. Nurses, the largest group of frontline healthcare workers (Rosa et al., 2022), play a crucial role in preventing and managing this condition. However, despite the clear importance of their role, recent research indicates a gap in the effectiveness of educational interventions focused explicitly on nurses' knowledge, skills, attitudes, and behaviour towards DFU management and prevention (Sapri et al., 2022). Objectives The objectives of this literature review are to i) Identify and analyse recent studies on the impact of educational interventions on nurses' knowledge and competence in managing and preventing diabetic foot ulcers, ii) Review the effectiveness of these interventions, and iii) Report these findings and provide recommendations. Methods Guided by the PEO framework and PRISMA guidelines, a literature review of eight qualitative studies that met the inclusion criteria was conducted. An online search was conducted across the PubMed, ProQuest, Semantic Scholar, and CINAHL databases. Only articles published within the last five years (May 2019- 2024) and in English were considered. Results Three themes and subthemes were identified: 1. Education intervention approaches (a. Undefined timeframe, b. Short-term interventions, and c. Long-term interventions); 2. Nurses' knowledge and clinical skills; and 3. Patient outcomes. The results consistently demonstrated that educational interventions significantly improve nurses' DFU-related expertise and abilities. Conclusion Healthcare organisations should implement blended training programmes that combine accessible e-learning for theoretical knowledge with periodic hands-on workshops to ensure that nurses develop practical skills supported by policies that address workload, resource availability, and the involvement of experts to maintain effectiveness.