Abstract: Objective To explore the foot self-management experience in the elderly patients with high-risk diabetic foot, so as to provide reference for targeted intervention programs. Methods From March 1 to May 31, 2024, a semi-structured interview was conducted among 15 elderly patients with high-risk diabetic foot based on the social ecological system theory. Content analysis was used to summarize and refine themes. Results In the elderly patients with high-risk diabetic foot, foot management experience was divided into three themes. The micro system—biological-psychological-behavior problems, including symptoms of pain, sleep disorder, social withdrawal, protective consciousness jagged, willingness to seek medical treatment, difficulties to evade and foot management information. The medium system—stakeholder interaction, including medical staff lack of communication, patients’ positive and negative influence, family support and other influence. The macroscopic system—social support dilemma, including the effect of education, shackles of thought, early screening not been implemented, poor medical treatment process. Conclusions The incidence of diabetic foot in the elderly is influenced by multiple factors including physical and comorbidities. Foot prevention is more important. Patients and stakeholders in the future all can take structured education to improve information dissemination media and the effect of foot management education. Foot management needs adopt the health management program, and further optimize the allocation of resources at the grassroots level to provide matching screening, monitoring, two-way referral and intervening in the chain, and improve the degree of resource utilization.

Key words: high-risk diabetic foot, foot management, qualitative study