Priority 17 from the Foot Health PSP

UNCERTAINTY: How do health professionals provide people with clear guidance on footwear choices in order to help prevent and manage foot problems? (JLA PSP Priority 17)
Overall ranking	17
JLA question ID	0092/17
Explanatory note	Despite a broad range of questions in relation to 'appropriate' footwear to underpin this particular researchable question, there is no strong evidence base to support the type and content of guidance that should be provided to enable people to make appropriate footwear choices. This topic is a particularly common, significant and sizeable component of foot health advice provided by health care professionals that are involved in foot health management and thus its content and effective provision requires research to support the most appropriate guidance across a range of patient groups.
Evidence	Prosthet Orthot Int. 2016 Apr;40(2):170-81. doi: 10.1177/0309364615588342. Epub 2015 Jun 25 A systematic review of the effect of foot orthoses and shoe characteristics on balance in healthy older subjects. Aboutorabi A(1), Bahramizadeh M(2), Arazpour M(3), Fadayevatan R(4), Farahmand F(5), Curran S(6), Hutchins SW(7). Foot orthoses improve postural stability via a sensory biomechanic effect. Use of foot wear with proper features (thin hard soles etc) can help balance and reduce falls.
Health Research Classification System category	Generic health relevance

Extra information provided by this PSP
Original uncertainty examples	Could there be better information on footwear without the recommendation being only "trainers" or Skechers or Cosyfeet or some other material that is not waterproof. Some of us are still very active but live with less than perfect feet. ~ What are the features of shoes that I should look out for when buying to minimise the possibility of developing foot problems? ~ Can foot problems be prevented by using the correct footwear? ~ Why do unsupportive shoes have no warning like tobacco?
Submitted by	Healthcare Professional x 4, Patient x 16

Extra information provided by this PSP

Original uncertainty examples

Could there be better information on footwear without the recommendation being only "trainers" or Skechers or Cosyfeet or some other material that is not waterproof. Some of us are still very active but live with less than perfect feet. ~ What are the features of shoes that I should look out for when buying to minimise the possibility of developing foot problems? ~ Can foot problems be prevented by using the correct footwear? ~ Why do unsupportive shoes have no warning like tobacco?

Submitted by

Healthcare Professional x 4, Patient x 16

PSP information
PSP unique ID	0092
PSP name	Foot Health
Total number of uncertainties identified by this PSP.	30 (To see a full list of all uncertainties identified, please see the detailed spreadsheet held on the JLA website)
Date of priority setting workshop	26 September 2019