An exploratory phenomenological study exploring the experiences of people with systemic disease who have undergone lower limb amputation and its impact on their psychological well-being

Abstract

Background: Amputation is a life-changing event accompanied by challenges for the affected person with time-dependent depression often used to quantify its level of impact on their psychological well-being. There are varied factors that contribute to this and its persistence. The aim of this study was to explore the experiences over time of people with diabetes and/or peripheral vascular disease following an amputation and the impact on their psychological well-being.

Objectives: To develop an understanding of the experience of living with an amputation and a chronic condition in order to help clinicians identify those in need of counselling support.

Study design: A qualitative study utilising an iterative approach in line with the philosophy of interpretive phenomenology.

Methods: Six participants who had experienced a lower limb amputation associated with peripheral vascular disease/diabetes were interviewed on two occasions (baseline and 4 months). An interpretative phenomenological approach was utilised for both data collection and analysis.

Results: For these participants, amputation was part of the chronology of their chronic disease. It was the individual's variable experience of health which impacted their psychological well-being rather than the length of time since amputation.

Conclusions: The multivariable experience of amputation means that individually tailored counselling/psychological support is recommended.

Clinical relevance: An understanding of how the experience of living with an amputation and a chronic condition may change over time will help clinicians to identify the ongoing need for counselling support.

Keywords: Psychological well-being; diabetes; interpretative phenomenology; lower limb amputation; patient experience; peripheral vascular disease.