Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences

Specialization Diploma in Diabetic Foot and Surgery

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Type of programme
Postgraduate degrees
Campus
Online
Duration
between 26-10-2026 and 31-03-2027
Credits
15 ECTS
Schedule
October to March
Places
25
Modality
Blended learning/Online
Title text

Introduction

Diabetes is a highly prevalent condition in Western societies. It is one of the costliest chronic diseases due to the high morbidity and mortality associated with vascular complications. Diabetic foot syndrome has a mixed aetiopathogenesis involving three main factors: vasculopathy, neuropathy and infection. One in five people with diabetes will experience diabetic foot complications at least once in their lifetime, often with serious consequences for both the lower limbs and overall health. The appearance of a foot ulcer is one of the most significant health problems for people with diabetes, being one of the most frequent, complex and costly complications.

This highlights the need for professionals with specific expertise in diabetic foot care, capable of leading or contributing to interdisciplinary teams for managing and treating the condition.

 

Title text

Description

This specialised programme is designed to train professionals in the management and treatment of diabetic foot. In most healthcare settings, there is no designated specialist for diabetic foot care, and responsibility is shared among various professionals (vascular surgeons, nurses, general surgeons, orthopaedic surgeons, endocrinologists, primary care physicians, podiatrists, etc.), all too often without a coordinated approach. Scientific evidence shows that effective treatment of diabetic foot requires an interdisciplinary holistic approach.

The course is aimed at graduates in health sciences: primary care physicians and specialists, nurses, and podiatrists.

Body

Objectives

General Objectives:

To equip healthcare professionals with the knowledge and skills needed to understand all aspects of diabetic foot pathology, from anatomy and biomechanics to clinical evaluation, diagnosis, and medical and surgical treatment techniques. 

Specific Objectives:

  • Understand the anatomy and biomechanics of the foot
  • Identify neuroischaemic patients for appropriate treatment or prevention
  • Perform appropriate examinations for accurate diagnosis and treatment of diabetic foot infections
  • Apply local care techniques
  • Understand surgical techniques for early prevention or treatment of osteoarticular foot lesions
  • Learn reconstructive surgical techniques
  • Practise the skills, attitudes and aptitudes required for diabetic foot treatment
  • Learn to work within an interdisciplinary framework
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Curriculum

It will include a theoretical program with synchronous and asynchronous classes, in-person simulation seminars, workshops, clinical sessions, and hands-on training in surgical techniques on cadavers.

Online Sessions: October 27, 2026 – February 25, 2027

In-person Sessions: March 8, 2027 – March 11, 2027

Schedule 2nd ediiton

October 2026 - March 2027

Online classes Schedule (provisional)

27-10-2608.00 pm Introduction — M. Sirvent / J. Viadé
27-10-2608.15 pmDiabetes and Diabetic Foot — M. Fabbi
03-11-2608.00 pmDiabetic Neuropathy I — J. Longa
05-11-2608.00 pmDiabetic Neuropathy II — J. Longa
10-11-2608.00 pmPharmacological Treatment of Neuropathic Pain — A. Server
12-11-2608.00 pmCharcot Neuroarthropathy: Pathophysiology — M. Fabbi
17-11-2608.00 pmCharcot Neuroarthropathy: Treatment — J. Viadé
24-11-2608.00 pmVasculopathy / Revascularization Techniques — M. Sirvent
01-12-2608.00 pmImaging Diagnosis I — R. Pérez
03-12-2608.00 pmOffloading Systems — J. Viadé
10-12-2608.00 pmExamination of the Neuroischemic Foot — J. Viadé / M. Sirvent
15-12-2608.00 pmGuidelines for the Global Approach to Diabetic Foot — J. Viadé / M. Sirvent
17-12-2608.00 pmClinical Cases — C. Riera / J. Viadé
12-01-2708.00 pmImaging Diagnosis II — R. Pérez
14-01-2708.00 pmInfection I (Antibiotic Treatment) — E. Reynaga
19-01-2708.00 pmInfection II (Clinical Aspects) — E. Reynaga
26-01-2708.00 pmImaging Diagnosis III — R. Pérez
28-01-2708.00 pmTopical Therapeutics — R. Molina / J. Viadé
02-02-2708.00 pmLocoregional Anesthesia — A. Server
04-02-2708.00 pmSeptic Foot: Surgical Approach — A. Pérez
09-02-2708.00 pmCharcot Foot Surgery — X. Madirolas
16-02-2708.00 pmOrthopedic Surgical Techniques — A. Pérez
23-02-2708.00 pmMinimally Invasive Techniques in Diabetic Foot — J. Viadé
25-02-2708.00 pmDiabetic Foot Reconstruction Techniques — C. Carrasco


 

Teaching methodology: hybrid

Online theory classes:

  1. Weekly 1.5-hour synchronous classes, starting at 19.30 to accommodate  students from South America.
  2. Asynchronous technique classes (notes or videos)
  3. Clinical case resolution
  4. Tutorials

On-site classes: 4–5 consecutive days in June

 

Practical content

1. Technical Workshops 

  • Biomechanical Assessment
  • Vascular Assessment
  • Neuropathic Assessment
  • Offloading Systems
  • Adhesive Felt
    • Casts
  • Imaging Diagnostics

2. Interactive Classes

  • Clinical Sessions
  • Infection Control
  • Topical Therapies
  • Local Anaesthesia Techniques

3. Surgical Practice on Cadavers

  • Minor Surgery Techniques
  • Charcot Foot Surgery
  • Minimally Invasive Techniques
  • Grafts and Flaps                                                                                                       

 

Subjects

1. A1 – Diabetes and Diabetic Foot. Microvascular and Macrovascular Complications

  • Diabetes and diabetic foot
  • Biomechanics applied to diabetic foot
  • Diabetic neuropathy
    • Clinical examination
    • Neuropathic pain: treatment
  • Charcot neuroarthropathy
  • Diabetic vasculopathy
    • Clinical examination
  • Diabetological education
  • Footwear

2. A2 – Diagnosis, Treatment and Prevention of the Patient with Diabetic Foot

  • Evaluation and treatment system
  • Diagnosis through imaging
    • Image interpretation exercises
    • MRI / Nuclear medicine
  • Infection in the diabetic foot
    • Pathophysiology and diagnosis
  • Septic foot
  • Treatment of infection. Offloading systems
  • Local management
    • Negative pressure therapy
    • Cytokine treatment

3. A3 – Surgical Techniques and Cadaver Surgery Practice

  • Charcot neuroarthropathy
  • Local–regional anesthesia
  • Orthopedic surgical techniques
  • Minimally invasive techniques
  • Surgical treatment of ischemia
  • Plastic surgery techniques
  • Minor amputations

 

Admission requirements

Bachelor’s degree or university degree in the field of Health Sciences

 

Assessment

Final theoretical-practical examination

In-person practical sessions: Universidad Internacional de Cataluña

  • Simulation classrooms
  • Room for cadaver surgical techniques
  • Endocrinology Department

March 8–11 Schedule: 08:00 – 14:00

  • Examination of the diabetic patient
  • Rehabilitation of the patient with diabetic foot
  • Biomechanics and diabetic foot
  • Lower limb anatomy
  • Offloading systems workshop
  • Biotechnology applied to diabetic foot
  • Multidisciplinary clinical sessions
  • Workshop: “Approach to the diabetic foot with ulcer”
  • Endovascular surgery workshop
    • Cadaver surgical techniques
    • Locoregional anesthesia
    • Orthopedic surgery
    • Minimally invasive surgery
    • Reconstructive surgery
    • Charcot foot surgery

Faculty:

A. Server, C. Carrasco, M. Fabbi, S. Lladó, X. Madirolas, R. Molina, A. Morral, A. Puig, A. Pérez, A. Rodríguez, M. Sirvent, J. Viadé



Requirements for Obtaining the Certificate:

Passing the multiple-choice test held on the last day of the practical sessions.
Minimum attendance of 80% of online classes and 100% of practical sessions.

Teaching team

Title text

Teachers

  • Matteo Fabbi, MD – Head of the Endocrinology Department, Quirón Group. Hospital General de Cataluña. Sant Cugat del Vallès, Barcelona.
  • Cristian Carrasco López, MD, PhD – Clinical Head of the Plastic Surgery Department at Hospital Germans Trias i Pujol. Associate Professor at the Autonomous University of Barcelona. FEBOPRAS Fellow.
  • Melchor Lladó Vidal, DPM – Master’s Degree in Diagnosis and Treatment of Diabetic Foot. Coordinator of the Diabetic Foot Unit at Hospital Son Espases, Palma, Balearic Islands.
  • John C. Longa-López, MD, PhD – Endocrinologist. Professor of Medicine at the University of Lima (Peru).
  • Xavier Madirolas Alonso, MD – Specialist in Orthopedic Surgery and Traumatology. Martí i Julià Hospital Park. Salt, Girona. Professor of Traumatology at the Faculty of Medicine of Girona.
  • Rubén Molina Carrillo – Nursing Graduate, CAP Pare Claret (Barcelona). Wound care reference professional and member of the Territorial Care and Wound Commission of Barcelona. Official Master’s Degree in Comprehensive Management and Research in Chronic Wound Care.
  • Antoni Morral Fernández, PT, PhD – Faculty of Health Sciences Blanquerna, Ramon Llull University. Health and Sport Physiotherapy Clinic, Santa Perpètua de Mogoda (Barcelona).
  • Ricardo Pérez Andrés, MD, PhD – Territorial Clinical Director (Metropolitan North) of the Radiodiagnosis Service at Hospital Universitari Germans Trias i Pujol. Teaching Unit Germans Trias. Autonomous University of Barcelona. Professor responsible for the Radiology knowledge area.
  • Albert Pérez Fernández, MD, PhD – Specialist in Orthopedic Surgery and Traumatology at Hospital Universitari de Bellvitge, L’Hospitalet de Llobregat (Barcelona). Head of the Foot and Ankle Team. Coordinator of the Diabetic Foot Functional Unit.
  • Esteban Reynaga Sosa, MD, PhD – Attending physician specializing in Infectious Diseases at Hospital Germans Trias i Pujol, Badalona.
  • Alfonso Rodríguez Baeza, MD, PhD – Professor of Anatomy in the Department of Morphological Sciences at the Faculty of Medicine of the Autonomous University of Barcelona.
  • Anna Server Salvá, MD, PhD – Pain Unit. Department of Anesthesiology and Resuscitation, Vall d’Hebron University Hospital, Barcelona.
  • Marco Sirvent González, MD, PhD – Head of the Vascular and Endovascular Surgery Department at Hospital General de Granollers.
  • Maite Valverde Torreguitart, RN, PhD – Nurse specialized in Therapeutic Education and Diabetes. Collaborator at the School of Nursing of Terrassa, University of Barcelona.
  • Jordi Viadé Julià, DPM, PT, PhD – Clínica del Pie Diabético Sabadell, Barcelona.

 

  • Fabbi, Matteo. MD, head of Endocrinology. Quirón Group. Hospital General de Catalunya, Sant Cugat del Vallès (Barcelona).
  • Carrasco López, Cristian. MD, PhD, clinical head of Plastic Surgery at Germans Trias i Pujol Hospital. Adjunct lecturer at Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona. FEBOPRAS fellow.
  • Lladó Vidal, Melcior. DPM, holder of a Master’s Degree in Diabetic Foot Diagnosis and Treatment. Coordinator of the Diabetic Foot Unit, Hospital Son Espases, Palma de Mallorca (Balearic Islands).
  • Longa-López, John C. MD, PhD, Endocrinologist. Professor of Medicine at Universidad de Lima (Peru).
  • Madirolas Alonso, Xavier. MD, specialist in Orthopaedic Surgery. Parc Hospitalari Martí i Julià, Salt (Girona). Lecturer in Orthopaedic Surgery in the Faculty of Medicine at the University of Girona.
  • Molina Carrillo, Rubén. Holder of a degree in Nursing, Pare Claret Primary Care Centre (Barcelona). Wound care specialist and member of the Barcelona Regional Office’s Wound Care Committee. Holder of an Official Master’s Degree in Comprehensive Management and Research in Chronic Wound Care.
  • Morral Fernández, Antoni. PT, PhD, Blanquerna Faculty of Health Sciences, Ramon Llull University. “Health and Sport” Physiotherapy Clinic, Santa Perpètua de Mogoda (Barcelona).          
  • Pérez Andrés, Ricard. MD, PhD, clinical director of the Regional Metropolitan North Radiodiagnosis Service. Germans Trias i Pujol University Hospital. Germans Trias Teaching Unit. Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona. Lecturer and head of the Radiology Knowledge Area.
  • Pérez Fernández, Albert. MD, PhD specialising in Orthopaedic Surgery. Bellvitge University Hospital, Hospitalet del Llobregat (Barcelona). Head of the foot and ankle team. Coordinator of the Functional Diabetic Foot Unit.
  • Puig Diví, Albert. PT, PhD, lecturer and researcher in the Blanquerna Faculty of Health Sciences, Ramon Llull University, and director of the University Master’s Degree in Physiotherapy Applied to Team Sports.
  • Reynaga Sosa, Esteban. MD, PhD, attending physician specialising in infectious diseases. Germans Trias i Pujol Hospital, Badalona.
  • Rodríguez Baeza, Alfonso. MD, PhD, full professor of Anatomy.  Department of Morphological Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona.
  • Server Salvà, Anna. MD, PhD, Pain Unit. Anaesthesiology and Resuscitation Service. Vall d’Hebron University Hospital, Barcelona (Spain).
  • Sirvent González, Marc. MD, PhD, head of Vascular and Endovascular Surgery. Hospital General de Granollers.
  • Valverde Torreguitart, Maite. RN, PhD. Nurse specialising in therapeutic education and diabetes. Collaborator at the Terrassa Nursing School. University of Barcelona.
  • Viadé Julià, Jordi. DPM, PT, PhD, Diabetic Foot Clinic, Sabadell (Barcelona).
     

Prices, grants and financial aid

Price

2.310€