Delphi process yielded consensus on terminology and research agenda for therapeutic footwear for neuropathic foot.
OBJECTIVE
To investigate areas of consensus and disagreement among Dutch physiatrists concerning prescription of therapeutic footwear for the neuropathic foot and to develop a research agenda.


METHODS
Forty participants were physiatrists and experts in the field of orthopedic shoe techniques. Four postal Delphi rounds were followed by a final plenary session.


RESULTS
Forty of the 44 invited experts participated in all postal Delphi rounds, with an overall response of 100%. They achieved consensus on the following. 1. (Dutch) Terminology for two sets of domains and dimensions for the various features of the neuropathic foot and for the shoe characteristics. 2. Application of specific shoe components: insole, shaft, outsole, tongue, and heel. In most features of the neuropathic foot, shaft and outsole domains were linked in the flexibility dimension. 3. Shoe prescriptions for various features of the neuropathic foot in at least four technical domains. Experts disagreed on application of rocker bar and shaft height. In a final conference, 31 experts agreed on a prioritized research agenda.


CONCLUSIONS
An intensive Delphi process yielded consensus on terminology, and determined areas of consensus and disagreement for future research for the various features of the neuropathic foot and the shoe characteristics.
Dahmen
Rutger
R
Jan van Breemen Institute, Amsterdam, The Netherlands. Rutger.Dahmen@slz.nl
van der Wilden
Gelske J
GJ
Lankhorst
Gustaaf J
GJ
Boers
Maarten
M
D001291:Attitude of Health Personnel; D003245:Consensus Statements as Topic; D003697:Delphi Technique; D005534:Foot Diseases / Q000628:therapy*; D016523:Foot Ulcer / Q000628:therapy; D019538:Health Care Surveys; D006801:Humans; D009426:Netherlands; D009989:Orthotic Devices; D055656:Prescriptions; D012106:Research; D012775:Shoes; D009626:Terminology as Topic