PIIC
Podiatry Inclusive Image Collection
Podiatry Inclusive Image Collection [PIIC] is a healthcare platform that aims to deliver health equity in podiatry through an image repository and education platform. We provide images of the foot and ankle to support correct diagnosis, with a focus on the non-white global population. Our team is committed to promoting diversity and inclusivity in healthcare. We believe that access to diverse and inclusive medical education is an effective way to improve health equity.
Why is this important?
With increased prevalence of cardiovascular disease and Type 2 diabetes, non-white ethnic groups are more likely to suffer from foot related issues.
Why cardiovascular disease [CVD]?
Black ethnic groups are more susceptible and vulnerable to having peripheral arterial disease [PAD] than other groups [8]. There are higher occurrences and deaths from all CVD in South Asian groups compared to white British populations. [9]
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PAD and CVD is the leading cause of nontraumatic amputations in the UK. [10]
Amputations increases mortality [12]. Patients are twice as likely to die within a five years of amputation after an CVD amputation than other amputation surgery. [11]
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We want to provide resources that support the most venerable and create health equity.
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Why diabetes?
The prevalence of Type 2 diabetes among minority ethnic communities is alarmingly high, approximately three to five times higher, with on average 10-12 year earlier onset than in the white British populations. [4]
The most frequent cause of hospitalisation for Type 2 diabetes is diabetic foot complications, with diabetes also the leading cause of lower limb amputations in the UK. Ulcers and amputations lead to disability, increased morbidity and ultimately mortality. [6]
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Economic challenges also accompany foot complications of diabetes, with the equivalent of 1% [1% = £1bn] of the NHS yearly health services. [7]
We believe improved educational resources will to improving patient outcomes.
World Health Organisation
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“Health and health equity are determined by the conditions in which people are born, grow, live, work, play and age, as well as biological determinants [1]."
The King's Fund
“In England, there are health inequalities between ethnic minority and white groups [2].”
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
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"Health equity is the state in which everyone has a fair and just opportunity to attain their highest level of health [3]."
Health Equity
At PIIC we are committed to health equity in podiatry. We believe that everyone deserves access to quality healthcare, regardless of their ethnicity. Our mission is to provide a platform that supports accurate initial diagnosis by offering a wide range of pathological images available to all professional practitioners. We believe that patients outcomes should not be influenced by the colour of their skin and through our dedication to diversity and inclusivity, we aim to bridge the gap in healthcare disparities.
Join us in our journey towards a more equitable future.
We believe good education underpins quality health care.
Our Goal
To provide healthcare professionals with the tools they need to make accurate diagnoses and improve the health outcomes of their patients. We believe that everyone, regardless of their race, ethnicity or socioeconomic status, deserves access to high-quality podiatric care. By promoting diversity and inclusivity in healthcare, we can help to reduce health disparities and improve health equity worldwide.
Our Vision
Our vision is to create a world where every patient receives the care they need, regardless of their background or circumstances. We are committed to building a comprehensive image repository that reflects the diversity of the global population. We aim to provide healthcare professionals with the education and resources they need to deliver the best possible care to their patients. By promoting health equity in podiatry, we can help to build a more just and equitable world.
References:
[1] World Health Organisation, 2023. Health Equity.
[2] Raleigh, V. The King's Fund, 2023. The health of people from ethnic minority groups in England.
[3] Office for Health Equity. Centers of Disease Control and Prevention, 2022. What is Health Equity?
[4] Goff, L. Diabetic Medicine, 2019. Ethnicity and Type 2 diabetes in the UK.
[6] Tuttolomondo, A., et al., Journal of Diabetes, 2015. Diabetic foot syndrome as a possible cardiovascular marker in diabetic patients.
[7] NHS.uk. 2022. Our funding.
[8] Vitalis, A., et al., Expert Review of Cardiovascular Therapy, 2017. Ethnic differences in the prevalence of peripheral arterial disease: a systematic review and meta-analysis.
[9] Patel, M., et.al., Systematic review, 2022. Ethnic differences between South Asians and White Caucasians in cardiovascular disease-related mortality in developed countries: a systematic literature review.
[10] Meffen, A., et al., British Medical Journal, 2020. Epidemiology of major lower limb amputation using routinely collected electronic health data in the UK: a systematic review protocol
[11] Almasri, J., et.al., Journal of Vascular Surgery, 2018. A systematic review and meta-analysis of revascularization outcomes of infrainguinal chronic limb-threatening ischemia.
[12] Mundell, B., et al., Journal of NeuroEngineering and Rehabilitation, 2018. The risk of major cardiovascular events for adults with transfemoral amputation.