Background: The common cause of disability is due to lower limb amputation (LLA), and the principal etiological factor is diabetes, an individual’s functioning and disability is induced by LLA, causing physical, psychological and emotional dysfunction, requiring caregiver support for general healthcare. Caregivers play an important role in the life of an amputee. The aim of this study was to explore the experiences of caregivers of amputees. Methods: A qualitative, phenomenological approach was used to explore the experiences of caregivers of amputees within the Suva area in Fiji. This pilot study employed one-one interview after approval from the College Human Health Research Ethics Committee (CHHREC) and information about the amputee and their relatives were sought after approval from the DON CWM hospital. Researchers derived the addresses for the amputees and their relatives contacts who were contacted using the mobile phone contact given in the register. A relative of an amputee was interviewed for this pilot project. The interview was conducted in the Hindi Language and later translated to the English language. Results: Four themes were derived from the thematic analysis. The relative of the patient felt sad and frustrated about the change in responsibilities; she had neglected her self-care, had very little knowledge and lacked competence in caring for an amputee. Discussion: One interview was possible which highlighted the need for support in caregiving and relief financially and psychologically for the people who care for their relatives with an amputation.
References
[1]
Rodrigues, D., Silva, R., Castanheira, S., Carvalho, L. and Pinto, C. (2025) Needs of Family Caregivers of People with Lower Limb Amputations: A Scoping Review. Behavioral Sciences, 14, Article 326. https://doi.org/10.3390/bs14040326
[2]
Horgan, O. and MacLachlan, M. (2004) Psychosocial Adjustment to Lower-Limb Amputation: A Review. DisabilityandRehabilitation, 26, 837-850. https://doi.org/10.1080/09638280410001708869
[3]
Ohenewa, E., Yendork, J.S., Amponsah, B. and Owusu‐Ansah, F.E. (2025) “After Cutting It, Things Have Never Remained the Same”: A Qualitative Study of the Perspectives of Amputees and Their Caregivers. HealthExpectations, 28, e70148. https://doi.org/10.1111/hex.70148
[4]
Crocker, T.F., Brown, L., Lam, N., Wray, F., Knapp, P. and Forster, A. (2021) Information Provision for Stroke Survivors and Their Carers. CochraneDatabaseofSystematicReviews, No. 11, CD001919. https://doi.org/10.1002/14651858.cd001919.pub4
[5]
Ahmed, M.Y., Safy, A.M., Abdel-Slam, W.N. and Hussein, H.M. (2022) The Effect of Different Types of Laparoscopic Bariatric Procedures on Type 2 Diabetic Obese Patients. SVU-InternationalJournalofMedicalSciences, 5, 280-288. https://doi.org/10.21608/svuijm.2022.114993.1263
[6]
Hailu, G.N., Abdelkader, M., Asfaw, F. and Meles, H.A. (2024) Exploring the Knowledge and Skills for Effective Family Caregiving in Elderly Home Care: A Qualitative Study. BMCGeriatrics, 24, Article No. 342. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12877-024-04924-3
[7]
Fitzpatrick, S., Dunlap, E., Furtmueller, G. and Nagarsheth, K. (2025) Caregiver Fatigue of Patients with Lower Extremity Amputation. JournalofCriticalLimbIschemia, 5, E3-E9. https://doi.org/10.25270/jcli/clig25-00006
[8]
Alessa, M., Alkhalaf, H.A., Alwabari, S.S., Alwabari, N.J., Alkhalaf, H., Alwayel, Z., et al. (2022) The Psychosocial Impact of Lower Limb Amputation on Patients and Caregivers. Cureus, 14, e31248. https://doi.org/10.7759/cureus.31248
[9]
Sar？y？ld？z, A., Co？kun Benliday？, ？., ？lmez Engizek, S., Ba？aran, S. and Metin, ？. (2025) Evaluation of Caregiver Burden and Related Factors in Children with Earthquake-Related Amputation. CukurovaMedicalJournal, 50, 400-409. https://doi.org/10.17826/cumj.1653277
[10]
ul Khaliq, R. (2021) Indigenous Men in Fiji Lose Limbs to Diabetes. https://www.aa.com.tr/en/asia-pacific/indigenous-men-in-fiji-lose-limbs-to-diabetes/2425605#
[11]
Whiting, D.R., Guariguata, L., Weil, C. and Shaw, J. (2011) IDF Diabetes Atlas: Global Estimates of the Prevalence of Diabetes for 2011 and 2030. DiabetesResearchandClinicalPractice, 94, 311-321. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.diabres.2011.10.029
[12]
Creswell, J.W. and Creswell, J.D. (2017) Research Design: Qualitative, Quantitative, and Mixed Methods Approaches. Sage Publications.
[13]
Creswell, J.W. (2013) Creswell, Qualitative Inquiry and Research Design. SAGE Publications, Inc.
[14]
Donough, G. and Van der Heever, M. (2018) Undergraduate Nursing Students’ Experience of Clinical Supervision. Curationis, 41, 1-8. https://doi.org/10.4102/curationis.v41i1.1833
[15]
Yilmaz, K. (2013) Comparison of Quantitative and Qualitative Research Traditions: Epistemological, Theoretical, and Methodological Differences. EuropeanJournalofEducation, 48, 311-325. https://doi.org/10.1111/ejed.12014
[16]
McLeod, J. (2011) Qualitative Research in Counselling and Psychotherapy.
[17]
Bazrafkan, L. and Kalyani, M.N. (2018) Nursing Students’ Experiences of Clinical Education: A Qualitative Study. InvestigaciónyEducaciónenEnfermería, 36, e04. https://doi.org/10.17533/udea.iee.v36n3a04
[18]
Liu, F., Williams, R.M., Liu, H. and Chien, N. (2010) The Lived Experience of Persons with Lower Extremity Amputation. JournalofClinicalNursing, 19, 2152-2161. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1365-2702.2010.03256.x
[19]
Abouammoh, N., Aldebeyan, W. and Abuzaid, R. (2021) Experiences and Needs of Patients with Lower Limb Amputation in Saudi Arabia: A Qualitative Study. Eastern Mediterranean Health Journal, 27, 407-413.
[20]
Haan, M., van Gurp, J., Boenink, M. and Olthuis, G. (2025) A Care Ethical Perspective on Family Caregiver Burden and Support. NursingEthics, 32, 1873-1885. https://doi.org/10.1177/09697330251324294
[21]
Ribeiro, L., Ho, B.Q. and Senoo, D. (2021) How Does a Family Caregiver’s Sense of Role Loss Impact the Caregiving Experience? Healthcare, 9, Article 1337. https://doi.org/10.3390/healthcare9101337
[22]
Pantera, E., Pourtier-Piotte, C., Bensoussan, L. and Coudeyre, E. (2014) Patient Education after Amputation: Systematic Review and Experts’ Opinions. AnnalsofPhysicalandRehabilitationMedicine, 57, 143-158. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.rehab.2014.02.001
[23]
Reinhard, S.C., Given, B., Petlick, N.H. and Bemis, A. (2008) Supporting Family Caregivers in Providing Care. In: Hughes, R.G., Ed., Patient Safety and Quality: An Evidence-Based Handbook for Nurses, Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (US), 347-369.
[24]
Canbolat Seyman, C. and Uzar Ozcetin, Y.S. (2022) “I Wish I Could Have My Leg”: A Qualitative Study on the Experiences of Individuals with Lower Limb Amputation. ClinicalNursingResearch, 31, 509-518.
[25]
Mamatsharaga, I.P., Mashau, N.S. and Damian, J.U. (2022) I Lack ‘Me-Time’: The Experiences of Family Caregivers of Elders with Diabetes Mellitus in a Selected Village in South Africa. HealthSAGesondheid, 27, a2026. https://doi.org/10.4102/hsag.v27i0.2026
[26]
National Academic of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine (2016) Families Caring for an Aging America. The National Academies Press.
