Nurses' Perspective of Treating Patients With an Amputation Due to Diabetic Foot Syndrome

Narrative Experiences of Individuals with Lower Limb Amputation: A Qualitative Study

Aim: The present study aimed to determine the narrative experiences of individuals undergoing lower limb amputation. Method: This study was a qualitative study conducted using the phenomenological pattern. Using purposive sampling, 13 individuals with lower limb amputation were selected and interviewed. Data were collected using semi-structured interviews and analyzed using the content analysis method. Results: The mean age of the 13 individuals was 51.17 ± 8.7 years. Five of the individuals were female and eight of them were male. A main theme and four sub-themes were identified. This main theme together with sub-themes were Dead End (Process of Loss, Negative Feelings, Change, Adapting to New Life). The individuals expressed mostly negative feelings and thoughts while also emphasizing the rehabilitation process (positive sides). Conclusions: Individuals with lower limb amputations stated there were positive factors affecting the rehabilitation process while emphasizing negative thoughts and feelings during the amputation process. These results can be used in planning for training, counseling and therapeutic interviews to protect the psychosocial health of individuals with lower limb amputation.

The Effect of Motivational Interview-Based Counseling in Individuals With Amputation: A Randomized Controlled Trial in Turkey

AIM

This randomized controlled experimental study determined the effect of motivational interview-based counseling on the coping strategies and perceived social support levels in individuals with amputations due to chronic disease.

DESIGN

A randomized controlled trial was conducted.

METHOD

The study was completed in the orthopedics and traumatology department with 48 patients. Data were collected using a descriptive information form, the Coping Strategies Scale, and the Multidimensional Scale of Perceived Social Support. Independent samples t test, paired t test, and chi-square test were used for data analysis.

RESULTS

The scores of the Coping Strategies Scale and the Perceived Social Support Scale of individuals in the intervention group significantly increased in the posttest after motivational interview-based counseling compared to their pretest scores. It was determined that the Coping Strategies Scale and Perceived Social Support Scale subdimension scores and total mean scores for individuals in the intervention group in the posttest were higher than the mean scores for individuals in the control group. The difference between the groups was significant.

CONCLUSION

The motivational interview-based counseling given to individuals with amputation because of chronic disease increased their coping strategies and perceived social support levels.

Thoughts and experiences on leg amputation among patients with diabetic foot ulcers

BACKGROUND

Although leg amputation is common among patients with diabetic foot ulcers, only few studies have examined the thoughts regarding leg amputation from the perspective of patients.

AIM

This study aims to explore the thoughts of patients with diabetic foot ulcers regarding leg amputation.

METHOD

A qualitative design using semi-structured interviews were used and analysed using Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis (IPA). In all five patients participated and the interview questions were focused on thoughts in relation to a possible leg amputation.

FINDINGS

Four significant themes were revealed: 1) "Considered-not spoken"-reflections on being alone with one's thoughts, 2) "What people think about me"-concerns about consequences on social relations, 3) "The tough ones and the ones who whine"-considerations about expected self-efficacy and 4) "Limitations and opportunities"-thoughts about physical consequences.

CONCLUSION

Even if an amputation is not yet planned, having a diabetic foot ulcer can result in divergent thoughts regarding leg amputation. The findings indicate that amputation is considered a taboo which makes it difficult for the patient to talk about it within either the health care context or with relatives. Health care professionals should therefore be aware of how they communicate regarding leg amputation.