Symposium topic
Diabetes-related foot complications remain a major cause of disability worldwide, yet pedorthic practice varies considerably between countries. Differences in climate, culture, footwear habits, occupations, healthcare infrastructure, reimbursement systems, economic resources, and patient beliefs all influence clinical decision-making and service delivery. This symposium will explore how these contextual factors shape pedorthic management of the diabetic foot in different regions of the world. Through presentations from experts representing the United States, Australia, and Thailand, participants will gain practical insights into diverse models of care, common challenges, innovative solutions, and opportunities to improve patient outcomes through context-sensitive pedorthic practice.
Underpinning science and theory
The symposium is grounded in evidence-based diabetic foot prevention and management, integrating international clinical guidelines with current pedorthic practice. Presentations will combine scientific evidence, clinical expertise, and real-world implementation within different healthcare systems, demonstrating how evidence is translated into practice under varying environmental, economic, and cultural conditions.
Relevance for the ISPO World Congress
As diabetic foot disease continues to present a global challenge, understanding how pedorthic services are adapted to different healthcare environments is highly relevant to ISPO members. This symposium promotes international knowledge exchange, encourages collaboration, and highlights practical strategies that may be transferable across countries while respecting local contexts.
Perspectives
The symposium brings together speakers from the United States, Australia, and Thailand, representing diverse healthcare systems and clinical environments. Each presenter will discuss local pedorthic practice, patient populations, clinical challenges, service delivery models, and innovations influenced by regional culture, climate, occupations, reimbursement policies, and healthcare resources.
Learning objectives
By the end of this symposium, participants will be able to:
• Compare pedorthic approaches to diabetic foot care across different healthcare systems.
• Understand how climate, culture, occupations, footwear practices, healthcare financing, and patient beliefs influence clinical decision-making.
• Recognize common challenges and innovative solutions implemented in different regions.
• Identify practical strategies that can be adapted to improve diabetic foot prevention and management within their own clinical settings.
• Appreciate the value of international collaboration in advancing evidence-based, patient-centred pedorthic practice for people living with diabetes.
