Understanding the experience of veterans who require lower limb amputation in the veterans health administration

Purpose There is limited qualitative research on the experience of patients undergoing lower limb amputation due to chronic limb threatening ischemia (CLTI) and their participation in amputation-level decisions. This study was performed to understand patient lived experiences related to amputation and patient involvement in shared decision making. Materials and methods Phenomenological interviews were conducted with Veterans 6–12 months post transtibial or transmetatarsal amputation due to CLTI. Interviews were read and summarized by two analysts who discussed the contents of each interview and relationships between interviews to identify emergent, cross-cutting elements of patient experience. Results Twelve patients were interviewed between March and August 2019. Three cross cutting elements of patient lived experience and participation in shared decision making were identified: 1) Lacking a sense of decision making; 2) Actively working towards recovery as response to a perceived loss of independence; and 3) Experiencing amputation as a Veteran. Conclusions Patients did not report a high level of involvement in shared decision making about their amputation or amputation level. Understanding patient experiences and priorities is crucial to supporting shared decision making for Veterans with amputation due to CLTI.