PSYCHOLOGICAL REACTIONS TO LOWER LIMB AMPUTATION

Abstract

The purpose of our research was identification of psychological reactions of patients to lower limb amputation. 46 patients were interviewed which were admitted to The First University clinic of Tbilisi State Medical University and underwent amputation of the lower limb. In order to achieve the aims and objectives of the research the following questions were addressed: 1. What are the factors that cause negative feeling of amputated patients in post-operative stage? 2. What kind of information does post-operative patients expect from medical workers? 3. How do patients get psychological support? We identified three major factors that can increase patient psychological burden after discharge from the hospital. These factors are difficulty in adapting to body changes, altered sexuality, and impact of underwent surgery on social life and activities of the patient. Psychological pressure is also increased by lack of knowledge of the patient concerning self-care after discharge from the hospital.  As the result, patients may lose confidence to go back to normal life, which negatively affects the quality of their life.