Discussion
Whilst results from the questionnaires indicated a lack of consensus amongst podiatrists regarding the potential introduction of podiatric telemedicine into their clinical operations, the thematic analysis emerging from the focus groups and interviews revealed that telemedicine is a promising approach for the future of foot and ankle management. Moreover, the results suggested that a considerable proportion of stakeholders endorsed the adoption of telemedicine in podiatry. Although the authors contend that certain issues must be addressed before implementing such a new service, one needs to acknowledge that telemedicine cannot replace certain aspects of clinical assessment.. The importance of telemedicine for enhancement and enabling the accessibility of podiatric care to service users was highlighted by interviewees in senior management positions. Furthermore, it was asserted that it is imperative that during telemedicine podiatric consultations patients’ requirements need to be addressed comprehensively.
A recent scoping review reported that the current research on telemedicine practice guidelines concerning the foot and ankle to date are solely focused from an orthopaedic viewpoint, with particular emphasis on musculoskeletal conditions.3 Stojmanovski et al3 emphasised the dearth of telemedicine guidelines that are specifically designed for the management of foot and ankle ailments.3 Additionally, the authors observed that the current guidelines lack adequate non-technical clinical recommendations.3 Some important considerations before introducing podiatric telemedicine include:
The establishment of profession-specific guidelinesProfession-specific guidelines for healthcare providers and service users receiving care are imperative. It is expected that the establishment of podiatric telemedicine guidelines will facilitate the implementation of telemedicine in podiatric medicine. In addition, these resources will aid healthcare providers in delivering optimal foot and ankle management to their patients, enabling greater adaptability in podiatric care within a primary healthcare environment.
The importance of professional development and community outreach
Despite the initial reservations expressed by healthcare stakeholders regarding the proposed service, it has been consistently highlighted that its establishment is imperative, subject to the implementation of appropriate measures and the development and adherence to sound criteria which include the importance of professional development, extensive community outreach, and professional management of service users expectations concerning the potential benefits of telemedicine.
Better patient triaging in clinical settings
The allocation of available slots to patients needing clinical appointments can improve the efficiency of clinical services and mitigate wait times. Furthermore, there would be an enhanced availability of podiatrists for patients to establish direct communication. It is essential to acknowledge that while telemedicine may not be universally efficacious for all podiatric ailments, it has the potential to confer benefits in foot care and footwear guidance, monitoring of orthotic devices, management of musculoskeletal conditions in the lower limb, and treatment of foot infections.