THE EFFECT OF COLLABORATIVE CARE MODEL ON QUALITY OF LIFE IN PATIENTS WITH DIABETIC FOOT ULCERS

Diabetes is one of the chronic diseases that can disrupt the quality of life of patients with its vascular problems and physical and psychological complications. The chronic complications of this disease, including diabetic foot ulcers, add to the importance of self-care treatment in this disease, which has a profound effect on the quality of life of patients. For this reason, the participation of patients in the treatment process is essential. One of the most important treatments for these patients is the use of participatory care model. The present study was conducted as a clinical test with the aim of determining the effect of implementing a participatory care model on quality of life in patients with diabetic foot ulcers hospitalized to Taleghani Hospital of Urmia.

In this random clinical study, 60 eligible patients were randomly selected from available population and assigned to intervention and control groups.During the first session, for both groups, the standard questionnaires of quality of life of patients suffering from diabetic foot ulcer as well as demographic questionnaires were completed. The program for implementing the participatory care model was held face to face and pamphlet for the intervention group (including steps: motivation, preparation, engagement, evaluation) for seven sessions each for an hour. Three months after the completion of the partnership program, both groups completed the questionnaire again.

Based on the findings, the mean scores of quality of life and its dimensions (except for the economic component) between both intervention and control groups after the implementation of participatory care model were different (p <0.001). Also, the mean scores of quality of life and its dimensions (except for the components of daily activity, life satisfaction, and economic situation) within the intervention group after implementing the participatory care model increased significantly related to that before the intervention (p <0.001).

The implementation of participatory care model is effective in improving the quality of life of patients with diabetic foot ulcers. Therefore, it is recommended that nurses, encourage the patients in self-care along with assessing their needs and abilities, to prevent the occurrence and progression of diabetes complications and reduce treatment costs.