Amputees' Attitudes Toward Participation in Amputee Support Groups and the Role of Virtual Technology in Supporting Amputees: Survey Study.
Edward P Nathan, Sandra L Winkler
PMID 31469085WHAT IT FOUND
Amputees joined support groups mainly for practical information and peer connection.
Distance and not knowing about local groups were common barriers. Younger amputees were more open to virtual options, but overall interest varied.
Key findings
01Among the 54 amputees analysed, the top reasons for joining a support group were obtaining information about living with an amputation and networking with other amputees and health care professionals.
02The top reasons for not participating were not knowing whether a support group was close by and the support group not being close enough.
03All respondents aged 20-39 years thought technology could increase participation in amputee support groups, while less than half of the older groups thought so.
STILL TO COME
How it was doneWhat they foundWhat it means for PTs
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What it does not show
Participants were recruited through amputee support channels, so the sample may represent people already interested in support groups. Fifty-nine enrolled and 54 were analysed, and most, not all, items were completed. The analysed sample was mostly male and mostly White, so the results may not represent all amputees. The survey measured attitudes and reported past support group participation, not whether support groups or virtual technology improve function or engagement. Technology options were limited to teleconference, videoconference, or avatar-based virtual world. Some questions allowed multiple answers, so response counts were not one answer per participant.
Declared interests
No conflicts of interest were declared.
The easy way to misread this
Do not conclude that virtual amputee support groups improve participation or function. This survey only measured amputees' attitudes and reported past support group participation; it did not test a virtual support group or report clinical outcomes.