Trimble Jessica R, Jessamine Jessica M, Bettin Ken, Miller William C, Sernik Julian B, Sakakibara Brodie M
Department of Occupational Science and Occupational Therapy, University of British Columbia (UBC), Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada.
Patient Research Partner, Cranbrook, British Columbia, Canada.
Aust Occup Ther J. 2025 Jun;72(3):e70031. doi: 10.1111/1440-1630.70031.
Peer-mentorship, when a peer shares a connection to a group provides knowledge, empathy, and validation through the unique perspective of their lived experience of practical and social-emotional knowledge following disease or disability. However, there is a paucity of research on peer-mentorship among individuals with lower limb amputations particularly those who live in small communities. This study aimed to investigate peer-mentorship among individuals with lower limb amputations in small communities during pre-amputation procedures and adjustment to life post-amputation.
Qualitative description, semi-structured telephone interviews were conducted with peer-mentors or mentees who experienced lower limb amputation in a small community.
One member of the research team was a person with lived experience, and another member of the research team was a clinician (orthopaedic surgeon). Both team members contributed to the study concept, design and analysis of the data and have read and approved the final manuscript. The team member with lived experience additionally supported participant recruitment.
Four themes emerged: 'satisfying an unmet need' explores the desire to learn from others who have similar experiences living with lower limb amputation; 'improving independence' describes the unique guidance offered by peer-mentors for returning to daily activities; 'friendship' considers peer-mentors' therapeutic delivery including its long-lasting guidance and connection; 'advocating for support and resources' examines how peer-mentors fulfil supportive roles such as health-care navigation.
Results demonstrate peer-mentorship's role in improving independence and social support and providing advocacy during adjustment to lower limb amputation among people residing in small communities.
People who have had their leg amputated need support programs. This is very true for people living in small communities. In this study, we talked to people who have had a leg amputated and who live in a small community. We wanted to know their thoughts about peer-support. Peer-support is when someone who has a leg amputation provides support to others who also have a leg amputation. We asked people: How did peer-support help you get ready for your amputation? How did peer-support help you after your amputation? People said that peers provided education and advice. People also talked about peers being a friend. Overall, peer-support was helpful.
同伴指导是指同伴与某个群体建立联系，通过其在疾病或残疾后的实际生活经历和社会情感知识所具有的独特视角，提供知识、同理心和认可。然而，关于下肢截肢者尤其是生活在小社区中的下肢截肢者的同伴指导研究较少。本研究旨在调查小社区中下肢截肢者在截肢术前及截肢后生活调整过程中的同伴指导情况。
采用定性描述方法，对小社区中经历过下肢截肢的同伴指导者或被指导者进行半结构化电话访谈。
研究团队的一名成员有实际生活经历，另一名成员是临床医生（骨科医生）。两名团队成员都参与了研究概念、设计和数据分析，并阅读并批准了最终手稿。有实际生活经历的团队成员还协助招募了参与者。
出现了四个主题：“满足未满足的需求”探讨了向其他有类似下肢截肢生活经历的人学习的愿望；“提高独立性”描述了同伴指导者为恢复日常活动提供的独特指导；“友谊”考虑了同伴指导者的治疗方式，包括其长期的指导和联系；“倡导支持和资源”考察了同伴指导者如何履行支持性角色，如医疗保健导航。
结果表明同伴指导在改善小社区居民下肢截肢后的独立性和社会支持以及提供支持方面发挥了作用。
腿部截肢的人需要支持项目。对于生活在小社区的人来说尤其如此。在本研究中，我们与生活在小社区且腿部截肢的人进行了交谈。我们想了解他们对同伴支持的看法。同伴支持是指腿部截肢的人向其他腿部截肢的人提供支持。我们问人们：同伴支持如何帮助你为截肢做准备？截肢后同伴支持如何帮助你？人们表示同伴提供了教育和建议。人们还谈到同伴是朋友。总体而言，同伴支持很有帮助。
