Grant: CIHR Fellowship

Amputation is a leading cause of disability, with approximately 7,500 individuals in Canada (most of whom are over age 50) experiencing the loss of one or both legs each year. When an individual loses a leg, their mobility decreases leading to difficulty engaging in social activities. This can lead to feelings of isolation, negatively affecting their health and well-being. Several factors make it easier or harder for individuals who have lost a leg to engage with others in their community, such as social support and the ability to walk on varied terrain. These factors are seldom addressed adequately in rehabilitation. Peer support, from other individuals who have experienced the loss of a leg, and online educational materials have been identified as tools that may help address this challenge. My goal is to develop online educational materials and evaluate the feasibility of using them along with peer support to provide individuals who have lost a leg the tools and support needed to engage in social activities. To do this, I will interview older adults who have lost a leg to understand the barriers prohibiting them from participating in the social activities that are important to them, and why these barriers exist. Next, I will create online educational resources that provide strategies to overcome these barriers. Finally, I will evaluate the feasibility of using these resources in combination with regular structured phone calls from a peer who has also lost a leg. These calls will be used to set goals and create an achievable action plan to address their personal barriers to participating in social activities. This project aims to improve rehabilitation services which are offered to individuals who have recently experienced the loss of a leg. This program will help to support individuals who have lost a leg participate more fully in meaningful social activities, ultimately leading to improved quality of life and wellbeing.