gms | German Medical Science

Background: The rehabilitation after lower limb amputation is still facing challenges with customer orientation and multidisciplinary, rehabilitation is often disability-based. In the City of Helsinki the rehabilitation practice of lower limb amputation has not been described and the practice is currently fragmented.

Aim: The aim of this development project was to develop rehabilitation practice after lower limb amputation based on multidisciplinary expertise.

Method: The material was collected in three stages by group interviews and co-development methods. Persons with lower limb amputation were interviewed in two groups (total 6 people) by using themed interview method. The professionals group consisted of twelve people. In the third phase, a multidisciplinary team evaluated and created a common understanding of the material produced by previous groups. The multidisciplinary team consisted of persons with lower limb amputation and rehabilitation professionals, a total of five people. Participation in all groups was voluntary. The material produced by the groups was analyzed by material-based content analysis.

Results/findings: As a result of the development work is a description of the rehabilitation practice that strengthens the rehabilitee's ability to function ability after lower limb amputation. In the new rehabilitation practice, the reciprocal agency and co-operation between professionals and rehabilitee was emphasized to strengthen the ability of the rehabilitee to function.

Discussion and conclusions: The key position was professionals’ know-how and profiling, as well as a clear rehabilitation path. The genuine and individual encounter of the rehabilitee, equal treatment and an open attitude as well as consideration of the close relatives of the rehabilitee became key themes. Rehabilitation should be taken into consideration in a holistic way, not only as physical rehabilitation.