Peer-mentorship among people with lower limb amputations living in small communities

IF 1.6 4区医学 Q2 REHABILITATION

Australian Occupational Therapy Journal Pub Date : 2025-06-04 DOI:10.1111/1440-1630.70031

Jessica R. Trimble, Jessica M. Jessamine, Ken Bettin, William C. Miller, Julian B. Sernik, Brodie M. Sakakibara

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引用次数: 0

Abstract

Introduction

Peer-mentorship, when a peer shares a connection to a group provides knowledge, empathy, and validation through the unique perspective of their lived experience of practical and social–emotional knowledge following disease or disability. However, there is a paucity of research on peer-mentorship among individuals with lower limb amputations particularly those who live in small communities. This study aimed to investigate peer-mentorship among individuals with lower limb amputations in small communities during pre-amputation procedures and adjustment to life post-amputation.

Methods

Qualitative description, semi-structured telephone interviews were conducted with peer-mentors or mentees who experienced lower limb amputation in a small community.

Consumer and community involvement

One member of the research team was a person with lived experience, and another member of the research team was a clinician (orthopaedic surgeon). Both team members contributed to the study concept, design and analysis of the data and have read and approved the final manuscript. The team member with lived experience additionally supported participant recruitment.

Results

Four themes emerged: ‘satisfying an unmet need’ explores the desire to learn from others who have similar experiences living with lower limb amputation; ‘improving independence’ describes the unique guidance offered by peer-mentors for returning to daily activities; ‘friendship’ considers peer-mentors' therapeutic delivery including its long-lasting guidance and connection; ‘advocating for support and resources’ examines how peer-mentors fulfil supportive roles such as health-care navigation.

Conclusion

Results demonstrate peer-mentorship's role in improving independence and social support and providing advocacy during adjustment to lower limb amputation among people residing in small communities.

PLAIN LANGUAGE SUMMARY

People who have had their leg amputated need support programs. This is very true for people living in small communities. In this study, we talked to people who have had a leg amputated and who live in a small community. We wanted to know their thoughts about peer-support. Peer-support is when someone who has a leg amputation provides support to others who also have a leg amputation. We asked people: How did peer-support help you get ready for your amputation? How did peer-support help you after your amputation? People said that peers provided education and advice. People also talked about peers being a friend. Overall, peer-support was helpful.

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生活在小社区的下肢截肢者之间的同伴指导

同侪指导，当一个同侪与一个团体分享联系时，通过他们在疾病或残疾后的实际和社会情感知识的生活经验的独特视角提供知识，同理心和验证。然而，对于下肢截肢者，特别是那些生活在小社区的截肢者之间的同伴指导关系的研究却很缺乏。本研究旨在探讨小社区下肢截肢患者在截肢前手术和截肢后生活适应过程中的同伴指导关系。方法采用定性描述和半结构化电话访谈的方法，对小社区中经历过下肢截肢的同侪导师或学员进行访谈。消费者和社区参与研究小组的一名成员是有生活经验的人，另一名成员是临床医生（整形外科医生）。两位团队成员都对研究概念、数据设计和分析做出了贡献，并阅读并批准了最终稿件。有实际经验的团队成员还支持参与者招募。结果出现了四个主题：“满足未满足的需求”探讨了向有类似下肢截肢经历的人学习的愿望；“提高独立性”描述的是同伴导师为回归日常活动提供的独特指导；“友谊”考虑同伴导师的治疗传递，包括其持久的指导和联系；“倡导支持和资源”研究同伴导师如何发挥支持性作用，如医疗保健导航。结论研究结果表明，同侪辅导在提高小社区残疾人下肢截肢适应过程中的独立性、社会支持和倡导方面具有重要作用。截肢的人需要支持项目。对于生活在小社区的人来说，这是非常正确的。在这项研究中，我们与生活在一个小社区的截肢者进行了交谈。我们想知道他们对同伴支持的看法。同伴支持是指截肢者为其他截肢者提供支持。我们问人们：同伴支持是如何帮助你为截肢做准备的？截肢后，同伴支持对你有什么帮助？人们说同龄人提供教育和建议。人们还谈论同龄人是朋友。总的来说，同伴支持是有帮助的。

本文章由计算机程序翻译，如有差异，请以英文原文为准。

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来源期刊

Australian Occupational Therapy Journal 医学-康复医学

CiteScore

2.80

自引率

16.70%

发文量

审稿时长

6-12 weeks

期刊介绍： The Australian Occupational Therapy Journal is a leading international peer reviewed publication presenting influential, high quality innovative scholarship and research relevant to occupational therapy. The aim of the journal is to be a leader in the dissemination of scholarship and evidence to substantiate, influence and shape policy and occupational therapy practice locally and globally. The journal publishes empirical studies, theoretical papers, and reviews. Preference will be given to manuscripts that have a sound theoretical basis, methodological rigour with sufficient scope and scale to make important new contributions to the occupational therapy body of knowledge. AOTJ does not publish protocols for any study design The journal will consider multidisciplinary or interprofessional studies that include occupational therapy, occupational therapists or occupational therapy students, so long as ‘key points’ highlight the specific implications for occupational therapy, occupational therapists and/or occupational therapy students and/or consumers.