Building foot health literacy through health promotion to increase community understanding about the value of podiatry for chronic disease management

Background
This project focuses on a student-led podiatry service delivered through Westside Community Centre in West Albury, NSW in partnership with the podiatry team at Charles Sturt University (CSU). This outreach clinic provides an essential service to members of the Westside community who would otherwise not have the means to access a podiatry service in Albury.

Project methodology
This project was designed as a mixed methods case study to explore the knowledge, attitudes, values, and behaviours amongst community members attending the student-led podiatry service at Westside, in relation to foot health and healthy footwear. 21 people consented to participate including 13 women and eight men, with a majority aged between 60 – 79 years.

The participants joined a health promotion roundtable at Westside on 12 June 2025, facilitated by six podiatry staff from CSU. Each facilitator worked with a small group to discuss issues relating to healthy feet, healthy footwear, and the value of podiatry for physical activity and chronic disease management. During the following week, all 21 participants visited the Athlete’s Foot Store in Albury, NSW for an individual foot analysis and footwear fitting session.

Outcomes
Data from the roundtable conversations identified a generally good understanding of foot health and healthy footwear and the risks associated with poorly fitting or damaged shoes. The podiatry clients also shared their experience of the value of podiatry for physical activity and chronic disease management. Key themes which emerged during the roundtable conversations include:

· Improved mobility and gait
o Pain relief & comfort
o Support for mobility & balance

· Education & empowerment
o Education for self-management

· Preventive care & early intervention
o Early detection & monitoring
o Circulatory health & vascular monitoring
o Prevention of complications
o Referral and access and to other health services

· Mental & emotional wellbeing
o Holistic impact on health
o Personalised & respectful care
o Motivation

During the foot assessment and footwear fitting sessions at the Athletes Foot Store visits, each participant completed a brief survey. This data revealed that many people were wearing the incorrect size and/or width of shoe. In response to the question ‘what are the most important factors you will consider when you buy your next pair of shoes?’ the participants ranked ‘comfort’, ‘support’ and ‘cost’ most highly.

Summary
This project highlights the importance of foot health literacy and healthy footwear, and access to podiatry care which meets the person’s needs. The client participants in this study provided clear evidence of the holistic value of podiatry in ensuring comfort and wellbeing, enabling mobility, and providing health education and motivation to reduce the risk of foot and lower limb complications.

“I wish more podiatrists would take the time to go shopping with their clients, listen to what they say in the shop and support the person if needed - it might make them change the way they talk about footwear when seeing clients routinely in their clinics” (Cate Melville, Podiatrist).