Nursing's Role in Prevention Interventions and Therapeutic Education for Patients with Critical Limb-Threatening Ischemia: a Scoping Review Protocol

Abstract

Introduction. Chronic Limb-Threatening Ischemia (CLTI) represents the advanced stage of Peripheral Artery Disease (PAD), a condition with increasing prevalence worldwide due to the rising burden of risk factors and comorbidities, and consequently, escalating healthcare costs. CLTI is a highly morbid condition, often leading to limb loss, chronic pain, and significantly impaired health-related quality of life. Despite its severe consequences, CLTI remains underrecognized. Patients often realise the severity of the disease at a late stage, when revascularisation attempts may no longer be useful. Primary prevention interventions are essential for early diagnosis and correct patient pathway. The trained nurse could have an important role in the community in identifying and managing this disease. This scoping review aims to evaluate the literature on knowledge of nurses about preventive interventions and therapeutic education, and how, and raising awareness of this disease among professionals and individuals from a community medicine perspective, this topic can be developed using the potential of nurses in the team.

Methods. The Joanna Briggs Institute Reviewers’ Manual and the framework developed by Arksey and O’Malley were used as the guidelines for the scoping review that is suggested in this protocol. Accordingly, the PCC (Population, Concept, Context) model was adopted. The Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic and Meta-Analyses extension for Scoping Reviews (PRISMA-ScR) will be followed for reporting the research and the results. The databases will include MEDLINE/ PubMed, Cochrane, CINAHL and grey literature sources.

Expected results. The main expected results will be the mapping of available evidence and the implementation of knowledge regarding available nursing interventions as well as improved adherence to educational interventions.