In the heart of Eastern Europe where healthcare landscapes are continuously evolving, Norina Alinta Gâvan emerges as a groundbreaker in the field of podiatry. Her profession is within the medical sciences dedicated to research, prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of deformities, pathology, and injuries of the foot and related structures.
Recognizing the crucial need for specialized foot healthcare, Norina harnessed her connections and, alongside a dedicated group of friends, founded the Podiatry Association in April 2015. Her mission was clear – to advance foot medical care and establish the profession of podiatry in Romania.
From her early initiatives to the official recognition of podiatry as a medical profession in Romania, Norina’s story exemplifies resilience, vision, and a continuous pursuit of progress in healthcare. Now she is the Honorary President of the Romanian Podiatry Association and founding member of the Diabetic Neuropathy Society – Neurodiab in Romania.
She has memberships in International Federation of Podiatry, European Council of Podiatry, DFoot International, Royal College of Podiatry London, and European Association for Study of Diabetes. She is often invited as speaker in international conferences, she is co-author in research articles, and peer-reviewer for international journals and congresses.
Pioneering Podiatry for Healthier Lives in Romania
Dr. Norina Gâvan is a passionate advocate for health and a firm believer in the transformative power of ideas. Guided by the values of health promotion, her professional and personal pursuits have been dedicated to creating impactful projects. With a strong conviction in the necessity of health and health education to enhance healthcare systems, she addresses the pressing issue of diabetes, a condition affecting 1 in 10 people globally.
Diabetes, particularly diabetes-related foot diseases, poses a critical complication with substantial social and economic ramifications for healthcare systems worldwide. The prevalence of foot ulcerations in individuals with diabetes exceeds 6%, equating to approximately 33 million people globally grappling with diabetic foot ulcers. Norina recognizes the urgent need for specialized care and education to address this global health challenge.
While she acknowledges that she may not speak of a dream per se, Norina is vocal about her mission and target—to advance podiatry in Romania. Faced with a scarcity of podiatrists and a lack of conditions compliant with international standards for specialized care, individuals at risk of diabetic foot complications often lack the proper preventive and treatment measures.
She extends her mission beyond diabetes, acknowledging the broader neglect of foot care in various health conditions. In response, she has taken proactive steps to contribute to the enhancement and potential resolution of this widespread issue, aiming to improve the overall health and well-being of individuals grappling with foot-related health problems.
A Podiatrist’s Journey to Establishing a Vital Healthcare Field in Romania
In Romania, the absence of podiatrists, specialists specifically trained in medical foot care, presents a significant challenge. Diabetologists, who primarily care for individuals with diabetes, face constraints in time and resources due to the overwhelming number of diabetes patients and broader systemic issues within the healthcare system.
This dearth of dedicated professionals has resulted in a notable gap in specialized healthcare, leaving those with diabetes without crucial expertise for comprehensive care and prevention. Recognizing this pressing need, Norina undertook the mission of advocating for the establishment and recognition of podiatry as a vital field in Romania.
To address this challenge, she championed the establishment of the Podiatry Association—an unprecedented initiative in Romania. This organization aims to cultivate a culture of foot care within the general population and, more specifically, among individuals with diabetes. It also stands as the first organization dedicated to the education, training, and preparation of future podiatry specialists in the country.
Through various programs and with the support of dedicated individuals who shared the mission, the Podiatry Association has actively engaged with governmental authorities in the public healthcare sector and the academic realm. The primary goal has been to demonstrate the necessity of integrating podiatry into the public healthcare system, emphasizing its broad-reaching benefits for the entire population, regardless of age. This emphasis holds particular significance for individuals with diabetes, contributing to an improved quality of life for all and, importantly, fostering societal and economic well-being for Romania as a whole.
Transformative Recognition and Advocacy in Romanian Healthcare
The official recognition of podiatry as a medical profession in Romania stands as a momentous achievement, signaling the fulfillment of dedicated efforts and advocacy to address a critical gap in healthcare. Spearheaded by the Podiatry Association, this accomplishment not only enhances the well-being of individuals, particularly those with diabetes, but also contributes to the broader healthcare landscape.
The association’s unwavering commitment and perseverance navigated complex healthcare systems, securing the necessary support for podiatry’s recognition. This milestone brings increased visibility to foot care, especially for those with diabetes, through heightened media attention, fostering a broader understanding of podiatry’s crucial role in preventive healthcare. Ultimately, the acknowledgment of podiatry reflects a collective commitment to comprehensive healthcare, positively impacting lives across the nation.
Impact on Diabetic Foot Care in Romania
The establishment of the Podiatry Association in Romania garnered international acclaim, receiving substantial support from healthcare professionals globally, particularly those with a keen interest in diabetic foot care and podiatry. Collaborating with international groups provided valuable insights into the organizational structures of healthcare professionals worldwide. Securing support from professionals involved in diabetes care was pivotal, leading to the initiation of the first official training in diabetic foot care for various medical practitioners and nurses, a program recognized by the Ministry of Health. The milestone moment arrived in late 2018 with the official recognition of the podiatry profession by the Ministry of Labor and Social Justice. Subsequently, a series of impactful events, conferences, educational initiatives, and free consultation campaigns were launched. Notable programs include the “Summer School on Diabetic Neuropathy and Diabetic Foot” and the “National Congress on Diabetic Neuropathy and Diabetic Foot,” offering accredited courses aimed at enhancing diabetic foot care skills for nurses, medical assistants, and physiotherapists. Additionally, the “Unique Diabetic Neuropathy and Diabetic Foot Education Program – UNITED” focuses on updating the professional training of family doctors (general practitioners) to reduce amputations and enhance the quality of life for individuals with diabetes.
Norina’s Vision for Transformative Education in Romania
Norina firmly believes in the transformative power of education for societal progress and individual well-being. As an advocate for quality education, she recognizes its role as a fundamental pillar in shaping the future of podiatry professionals in Romania. Education, in her view, extends beyond imparting technical skills; it instills a profound understanding of the crucial link between foot health and overall well-being.
Norina emphasizes the importance of continuous professional development, achieved through workshops and conferences, as a means to stay abreast of the latest advancements and effectively address emerging healthcare challenges. She sees a robust education system as the cornerstone for nurturing skilled and compassionate podiatry professionals who can significantly contribute to improving the health of individuals, especially those vulnerable, such as those with diabetes. In her vision, education serves as the key to a brighter and healthier future for podiatry in Romania, with a positive ripple effect on the broader healthcare landscape.
Norina’s Professional and Personal Commitment
Norina’s encounter with the impact of diabetes and its complications, particularly diabetic neuropathy and foot-related issues, has been both professional and personal. Engaged in health promotion projects, she actively fights against the formidable challenges posed by diabetes, a disease with severe consequences such as diabetic neuropathy and foot complications. In Romania, the prevalence of ulcers and amputations due to diabetes remains alarmingly high.
In 2021, a study conducted in Cluj-Napoca, under Norina’s direction, sought to understand the economic implications of ulcerations and amputations on the hospitalization costs of diabetes patients. With over 1.2 million Romanian adults affected by diabetes, a number expected to rise, the study revealed a stark reality—patients with ulcers and amputations incurred significantly higher costs, over 40% more than their counterparts without such complications. This sheds light on the substantial economic burden that diabetic foot issues place on the Romanian public healthcare system. She emphasizes the urgent need for health policies and strategies aimed at enhancing prevention and care in the realm of diabetic foot issues.
Integrating Technology and Compassion for Advanced Podiatric Care
Norina underscores the transformative potential of cutting-edge technologies in revolutionizing diagnostic accuracy, treatment approaches, and healthcare outcomes within podiatry. While embracing advancements like 3D scanning, augmented reality, and telemedicine for more precise assessments and accessible healthcare, she emphasizes the continued importance of a patient-centered approach and personalized care. Recognizing the pivotal role of individuals with diabetes in managing their health, especially concerning diabetic foot issues, she envisions the integration of wearable devices and smart sensors for continuous monitoring. These technologies, combined with data analytics and artificial intelligence, promise to offer valuable insights, optimize preventive care strategies, and enhance overall patient outcomes in podiatric practices.
A Vision for Growth in Central and Eastern Europe
Recognizing the social need and professional demand, there is a confident belief that podiatry can be successfully developed in Central and Eastern Europe. To foster this development, crucial steps involve expanding academic education, increasing public awareness about foot health, investing in research and innovation, collaborating with healthcare systems, fostering networking through professional associations, ensuring service accessibility and affordability, advocating for policy recognition, and engaging in international collaboration. This holistic approach addresses educational, societal, and healthcare system aspects, contributing to the integration and advancement of podiatry for the overall health and well-being of the population.
In 2023, the updated version of the IWGDF Guideline on the prevention and management of diabetes-related foot diseases was launched, providing recommendations for foot care in people with diabetes. The Association for Podiatry, along with dedicated doctors involved in diabetes care, is actively translating the entire guideline into Romanian. The goal is to complete this translation by March 2024, with a national launch planned in Romania. However, successful implementation of the guideline requires a national strategy, widespread acceptance, clear plans, and monitored investments by authorities. Economic barriers should not serve as an excuse, emphasizing the urgency to move from discussions to practical application for the benefit of the population.
Testimonials:
“Having had the privilege of working closely with Dr. Norina Gâvan in the past several years, I can attest to her exceptional dedication to the field of podiatry. She has played a pivotal role in the legislative aspects of the podiatry profession and, moreover, she has been instrumental in nurturing and mentoring the next generation of podiatrists. Colleagues from all around the world admire her passion as well as respect her knowledge and wisdom”.
– (Daniel Aharon Weisz, President of International Federation of Podiatrists)
Norina Gâvan has contributed to health care throughout her career. She has been the voice for Podiatry in her country for several years making collaborations with various countries and lead experts to try to introduce this much needed profession in her country. With years of success, professionalism, experiences, challenges, commitment and leadership, Norina Gâvan continues to strive hard to achieve her dream of introducing the Podiatric Education”.
– (Prof. Cynthia Formosa PhD, Associate Professor Podiatry Department, Faculty of Health Sciences Mater Dei Hospital, University of Malta)
“Dr. Norina Gâvan had pioneered the development of podiatry and the implementation of conservative management of the diabetic foot complications in Romania. This is highly relevant, as diabetic foot complications, particularly the diabetic foot ulcers, a consequence of diabetic neuropathy, are a leading cause of nontraumatic amputations in people with diabetes. The American Diabetes Association is promoting and working to broadly implement a team approach in the management of people with diabetes and foot complications, and podiatrists are critical team members”.
– (Rodica Pop-Busui MD, PhD – President, Medicine and Science, The American Diabetes Association)
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