‘A good fit?’
Bringing the sociology of footwear to the clinical
encounter in podiatry services: a narrative review
ABSTRACT
Background: This narrative review explores
the ways in which drawing on theories and
methods used in sociological work on footwear
and identity can contribute to healthcare
research with podiatrists and their patients,
highlighting recent research in this field,
implications for practice and potential areas for
future development.
Traditionally, research within Podiatry Services
has tended to adopt a quantitative, positivist
focus, developing separately from a growing
body of sociological work exploring the
importance of shoes in constructing identity
and self-image. Bringing qualitative research
drawing on sociological theory and methods
to the clinical encounter has real potential to
increase our understanding of patient values,
motivations and – crucially – any barriers to
adopting ‘healthier’ footwear that they may
encounter. Such work can help practitioners
to understand why patients may resist making
changes to their footwear practices and help
us to devise new ways for practitioners to
explore and ultimately break down individual
barriers to change (including their own
preconceptions as practitioners). This, in turn,
may lead to long-term, sustainable changes to
footwear practices and improvements in foot
health for those with complex health conditions
and the wider population.
Conclusions: A recognition of the complex
links between shoes and identity is opening up
space for discussion of patient resistance to
footwear changes and paving the way for future
research in this field beyond the temporary
‘moment’ of the clinical encounter.
By Emily Nicholls, Victoria Robinson, Lisa
Farndon, and Wesley Vernon
Current Pedorthics | September/October 2018
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