Employment Challenges Associated with the Diabetes Foot
Room 208
Level 2, Ernest N. Morial Convention Center
Q&A with Kelly N.B. Palmer, PhD, MHS, CCRP
Assistant Professor,
University of Arizona
What is your presentation about?
This presentation will illustrate the challenges with employment that patients with diabetic foot ulcers (DFUs) experience. I will discuss these challenges in the context of a cycle of DFU prevention, maintaining employment, financial stress, and DFU management. Patient reported experiences from a qualitative study will be presented.
What makes this topic important in 2022?
Health disparities are the cumulative result of inequitable structural and systemic conditions that many racial and ethnic minorities experience throughout their lifetime and must be considered and addressed when caring for patients with diabetic foot ulcers (DFUs). The COVID-19 pandemic has brought on additional challenges and opportunities to the work environment that impact patients with DFUs.
How did you become involved with this area of diabetes research or care?
I was invited to work with Dr. Tze-Woei Tan, MD, on his project examining health care disparities among Hispanics and Native Americans pertaining to the management of DFUs and limb salvage. We sought to determine the patient-reported barriers to DFU care and perceived risk factors related to amputations through qualitative inquiry.
What are you most looking forward to at the 82nd Scientific Sessions?
I am looking forward to learning more about how to improve diabetes prevention and management by addressing social determinants of health and developing upstream interventions. I am also looking forward to networking opportunities.
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