Allen, APT, Bolton, WS, Jalloh, MB et al. (3 more authors) (2022) Barriers to accessing and providing rehabilitation after a lower limb amputation in Sierra Leone – a multidisciplinary patient and service provider perspective. Disability and Rehabilitation, 44 (11). pp. 2392-2399. ISSN 0963-8288
Abstract
Purpose: The primary aim was to explore the perceived barriers that lower limb amputees and service providers face when accessing or providing rehabilitation services. The secondary aim was to describe the lower limb amputations performed in public hospitals in the Western Area of Sierra Leone in 2018. Materials and methods: A mixed methodology was employed, involving the collection of amputation data from surgical logbooks and interviews with amputees (n ¼ 10) and group discussion and interviews with service providers (n ¼ 11). Results: Of the 37 primary lower limb amputations (49% men, 51% women; median age 56 years; 62% transtibial and 35% transfemoral amputations) 86% were for diabetic and vascular causes. Barriers to accessing services included poor transportation access, high service fees, rural living, gender and a lack of government support. Insufficient funding and supplies, skilled staff shortages and a lack of local training programmes were frequently reported barriers to providing rehabilitation services. Conclusions: A low prioritisation means rehabilitation services are underfunded, resulting in numerous barriers to both accessing and providing amputee rehabilitation services. Subsidised services and an outreach programme may improve access for patients. Increased funding and local training programmes are needed to improve service delivery.
Metadata
Item Type: | Article |
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Authors/Creators: |
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Keywords: | Lower limb amputation; rehabilitation; Sierra Leone; developing country; physiotherapy; prosthesis |
Dates: |
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Institution: | The University of Leeds |
Academic Units: | The University of Leeds > Faculty of Medicine and Health (Leeds) > School of Medicine (Leeds) > Institute of Rheumatology & Musculoskeletal Medicine (LIRMM) (Leeds) > Rehabilitation Medicine (Leeds) |
Funding Information: | Funder Grant number NIHR National Inst Health Research 16/137/44 |
Depositing User: | Symplectic Publications |
Date Deposited: | 08 Dec 2020 15:24 |
Last Modified: | 29 Jul 2022 08:50 |
Status: | Published |
Publisher: | Taylor and Francis |
Identification Number: | 10.1080/09638288.2020.1836043 |
Open Archives Initiative ID (OAI ID): | oai:eprints.whiterose.ac.uk:168670 |