Sjef van Baal lezing: The Multidisciplinary Team Approach in the Management of the Diabetic Foot

The pathophysiologic mechanisms underlying diabetic foot disease are multi-factorial and include neuropathy, infection, ischemia, and abnormal foot structure and biomechanics. It is, therefore, not surprising that the management of the diabetic foot is a complex clinical problem requiring an interdisciplinary approach. The interdisciplinary team approach to diabetic foot issues is beneficial for patients and required for achieving optimal management and prevention of complications. Collectively, the interdisciplinary team should direct its efforts toward restoring and maintaining an ulcer-free lower extremity with functional limb salvage as the ultimate goal. Collaboration between specialists should be extended to creation of consensus documents and structured educational programs that emphasize the interdisciplinary care of patients with diabetes. Legislative advocacy to ensure adequate health care resources to support these guidelines will be more effective when multiple specialty groups are heard as one voice. It is with this level of inter-professional collaboration amongst vascular surgeons and podiatrists that we can realize the goal of reducing the unnecessarily high number of diabetes-related amputations worldwide.