Development, implementation and evaluation of a podiatry led “high risk foot” student clinic at the Queensland University of Technology

Background Diabetic foot complications are acknowledged as the leading cause of amputation and diabetes-related hospitalisation. Podiatry-led multi-disciplinary clinics are recognised as important strategies to improve diabetic foot outcomes. Data suggests diabetic foot complications are increasing at a faster rate than diabetes is being diagnosed. A reliable, competent workforce is urgently required to adequately manage patients with diabetes foot complications. Clinical training is known to have a beneficial impact on diabetic foot ulcer outcomes. As the basis for podiatry clinical training occurs at the undergraduate level in Australia, the development of students equipped with best practice skills to manage the growing population of diabetic foot complications is essential. The aim of this paper is to develop, implement and evaluate a student led “high risk foot” clinic and evaluate its impact on undergraduate learning and diabetic foot outcomes.