Lower-Limb Amputees and Family Caregivers: Challenges, Needs, and Strategies for Empowerment—A Qualitative Study.

Background/Objectives: Lower-limb amputation profoundly affects individuals and their family caregivers, particularly during home transition after hospital discharge. Understanding the needs, challenges, and emotions during this period is essential for designing effective family centered empowerment...

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Publicado en:Nursing Reports Vol. 15; no. 5; pp. 166 - 182
Autores principales: Rodrigues, Diana, Carvalho, Luís, Pinto, Cristina
Formato: research tables/charts Journal Article
Publicado: MDPI May2025
Acceso en línea:Ver este registro en EBSCOhost
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      dt: May2025
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      pub: MDPI
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        atl: Lower-Limb Amputees and Family Caregivers: Challenges, Needs, and Strategies for Empowerment—A Qualitative Study.
      aug:
        au:
          Rodrigues, Diana
          Carvalho, Luís
          Pinto, Cristina
        affil: RISE-Health, Faculty of Medicine, University of Porto, Alameda Prof. Hernâni Monteiro, 4200-319 Porto, Portugal
      sug:
        subj:
          Lower Extremity Surgery
          Amputees Psychosocial Factors
          Patient Attitudes Evaluation
          Caregiver Attitudes Evaluation
          Needs Assessment
          Empowerment
          Hardiness
          Adaptation, Psychological
          Amputation
          Human
          Descriptive Research
          Exploratory Research
          Semi-Structured Interview
          After Care
          Referral and Consultation
          Qualitative Studies
          Content Analysis
          Data Analysis Software
          Patient Autonomy
          Physical Mobility
          Architectural Accessibility
          Emotions
          Patient Discharge
          Amputees Education
          Caregivers Education
          Community Support
          Psychological Distress
          Social Isolation
          Life Style Changes
          Assistive Technology Devices
          Continuity of Patient Care
          Multidisciplinary Care Team
          Quality of Life
          Convenience Sample
          Aged
          Aged, 80 and Over
          Middle Age
          Support, Psychosocial
          Skill Acquisition
          Aged: 65+ years
          Aged, 80 & over
          Middle Aged: 45-64 years
      ab: Background/Objectives: Lower-limb amputation profoundly affects individuals and their family caregivers, particularly during home transition after hospital discharge. Understanding the needs, challenges, and emotions during this period is essential for designing effective family centered empowerment interventions. This study aimed to explore the lived experiences of amputees and their caregivers, identify their needs and challenges, and identify strategies to foster empowerment, resilience, and adaptation after amputation. Methods: This qualitative, descriptive-exploratory study involved semi-structured interviews with 37 dyads, each comprising an amputee who has undergone major dysvascular lower-limb amputation and their primary caregiver, who provided home care. The participants attended follow-up consultations post-amputation. Data were collected over a 13-month period and analyzed using qualitative content analysis based on Bardin's methodology, with support from ATLAS.ti 23.3.4 software for coding and data organization. Results: Four categories emerged: (i) difficulties faced, including loss of autonomy, mobility challenges, architectural barriers, and emotional strain; (ii) home discharge, emphasizing functional training for amputees and caregivers and the need for community support; (iii) impact of amputation, highlighting acceptance difficulties, psychological distress, social isolation, and lifestyle changes; and (iv) empowerment strategies, focusing on psychological support, skills training, assistive devices, and coordinated care. Tailored interventions such as peer support, home adaptations, and multidisciplinary care are essential for resilience, independence, and improved quality of life. Conclusions: Family centered empowerment strategies are vital for improving the outcomes of amputees and caregivers. Interventions that prioritize caregiver education, psychological support, and enhanced accessibility promote resilience, autonomy, and quality of life. These findings highlight the need for integrated hospital-to-community programs.
      pubtype: Academic Journal
      doctype:
        research
        tables/charts
        Journal Article
      ougenre: Article
    language: English
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