Exploring the psychosocial needs of amputee patients during recovery

  • Research type

    Research Study

  • Full title

    Exploring the psychosocial needs of amputee patients and the role of physical activity during recovery.

  • IRAS ID

    197889

  • Contact name

    Phoebe Sanders

  • Contact email

    phoebe.sanders@stmarys.ac.uk

  • Sponsor organisation

    St Mary's University

  • Duration of Study in the UK

    2 years, 9 months, 28 days

  • Research summary

    Each year, amputation impacts upon the lives of many thousands of UK citizens. Whilst we know that adjusting to the loss of a limb may present patients with a variety of challenges, we know far less about individuals’ unique experiences of the first year post-amputation, and how they respond to the challenges they encounter. The aim of this research is to build our understanding of amputee patients’ psychosocial needs during recovery, and of the role physical activity may play during the latter stages of rehabilitation and post-discharge. The knowledge gathered will be used to produce informational resources for service providers about how they can best meet patients’ needs to enhance the recovery process. In addition, patients will be provided with information that may facilitate their own recovery and help improve well-being post-amputation. This research is being conducted in the Douglas Bader Rehabilitation Centre at Queen Mary’s Hospital, Roehampton. It is funded jointly by Queen Mary’s Hospital and St Mary’s University, Twickenham. The research will last for up to three years in total, however, each individual will participate for a maximum duration of one year. Staff working at the Douglas Bader Centre and patients entering the rehabilitation programme will be given the opportunity to take part. Participants may choose to take part in up to three different research activities, including one interview per month, periods of observation by the primary researcher, and a weekly journal. These activities may all of which may be completed during the participant’s regular hours of attendance at the hospital. Some individuals may also be invited to take part in a follow-up focus group to evaluate and provide feedback on the resources produced.

  • REC name

    North East - Tyne & Wear South Research Ethics Committee

  • REC reference

    16/NE/0091

  • Date of REC Opinion

    16 Mar 2016

  • REC opinion

    Unfavourable Opinion