Supporting Patients with Amputated Lower Limb in Accepting Their New Body Images by Traumatology Nurses of Central Hospital Yaoundé-Cameroon: An Exploratory Study

Mispar Guinyonga Wankam; Kengne Djeudjo Ingrid Fabiola; Fouodji Engo François De Sales

doi:doi:10.11648/j.ajhr.20241203.12

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Supporting Patients with Amputated Lower Limb in Accepting Their New Body Images by Traumatology Nurses of Central Hospital Yaoundé-Cameroon: An Exploratory Study

Mispar Guinyonga Wankam^*

, Kengne Djeudjo Ingrid Fabiola, Fouodji Engo François De Sales

Published in American Journal of Health Research (Volume 12, Issue 3)

Received: 14 March 2024 Accepted: 27 April 2024 Published: 15 July 2024

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Abstract

This study aims at exploring the role of the nurse in supporting patients with the amputated lower limb towards the acceptance of their new body images in the traumatology B unit of the Central Hospital in Yaoundé-Cameroon. The study used a qualitative exploratory design. The study population was made up of eight nurses from the traumatology unit of the central hospital in Yaoundé-Cameroon. Data were collected using a semi-structured interview guide from a purposeful sample of nurses. The saturation level determined the sample size for the study. Data were analyzed using inductive content analysis. The results obtained from this study showed that it is difficult to take care of patients with amputated lower limbs as physical support e.g. hygiene care; wound dressings, pain evaluation and care were outlined by most of the nurses as the main mode of support given to patients. Consideration should be given to non-pharmacological and less invasive surgical interventions for phantom limb pain, as they are associated with less common and less severe side effects. Active listening, reassuring patients, helping relationship and confidence were the main elements of psychological support stated by the nurses. The main challenges nurses encountered in supporting amputated patients were difficult communication and language barrier. The findings from this study proposed that there were many factors to take into account in order to be able to help patients with amputated lower limb: physical and moral pain, the psychological aspect with modification of body image, loss of self-esteem etc... The nurse must demonstrate human and relational qualities and great psychological resistance in order to effectively support the amputated patient on the physical level by providing hygiene and comfort care, dressing; and on the psychological level by questioning the patients about their difficult emotions while being available to listen in order to establish a nursing diagnosis and help the patients to cope with their difficulties.

Published in	American Journal of Health Research (Volume 12, Issue 3)
DOI	10.11648/j.ajhr.20241203.12
Page(s)	52-59
Creative Commons	This is an Open Access article, distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/), which permits unrestricted use, distribution and reproduction in any medium or format, provided the original work is properly cited.
Copyright	Copyright © The Author(s), 2024. Published by Science Publishing Group

Keywords

Amputation, Lower Limb, Body Image, Support

References

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[2]	Senra H, Oliveira RA, Leal I, Vieira C. Beyond the body image: A qualitative study on how adults experience lower limb amputation. Clin Rehabil. 2012 Feb; 26(2): 180–91.
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[8]	Abdulrazaq AS, Shlash AMJ, Hrefish ZA, Mohammed MA, Obaid AF, Abdulrasol ZA. Body Image and Its Association With Self-esteem Among Amputation Cases at Prosthetics Center in Hilla City, Iraq. Iranian Rehabilitation Journal. 2022 Jun 1; 20(2): 237–43.
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[16]	Imeni M, Sabouhi F, Abazari P, Iraj B. The effect of spiritual care on the body image of patients undergoing amputation due to type 2 diabetes: A randomized clinical trial. Iran J Nurs Midwifery Res. 2018; 23(4): 322–6.
[17]	Al Shamsi H, Almutairi AG, Al Mashrafi S, Al Kalbani T. Implications of Language Barriers for Healthcare: A Systematic Review. Oman Med J [Internet]. 2020 Mar 1 [cited 2023 Oct 17]; 35(2): e122.
[18]	Imsek NS¸, Lhan Kü C ¸ü K O ¨ Ztü Rk G, Nilü Fer Nahya Z. The Mental Health of Individuals With Post-Traumatic Lower Limb Amputation: A Qualitative Study. J Patient Exp [Internet]. 2020 Dec [cited 2023 Oct 17]; 7(6): 1665–70.

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APA Style

Wankam, M. G., Fabiola, K. D. I., Sales, F. E. F. D. (2024). Supporting Patients with Amputated Lower Limb in Accepting Their New Body Images by Traumatology Nurses of Central Hospital Yaoundé-Cameroon: An Exploratory Study. American Journal of Health Research, 12(3), 52-59. https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ajhr.20241203.12

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ACS Style

Wankam, M. G.; Fabiola, K. D. I.; Sales, F. E. F. D. Supporting Patients with Amputated Lower Limb in Accepting Their New Body Images by Traumatology Nurses of Central Hospital Yaoundé-Cameroon: An Exploratory Study. Am. J. Health Res. 2024, 12(3), 52-59. doi: 10.11648/j.ajhr.20241203.12

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AMA Style

Wankam MG, Fabiola KDI, Sales FEFD. Supporting Patients with Amputated Lower Limb in Accepting Their New Body Images by Traumatology Nurses of Central Hospital Yaoundé-Cameroon: An Exploratory Study. Am J Health Res. 2024;12(3):52-59. doi: 10.11648/j.ajhr.20241203.12

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@article{10.11648/j.ajhr.20241203.12,
  author = {Mispar Guinyonga Wankam and Kengne Djeudjo Ingrid Fabiola and Fouodji Engo François De Sales},
  title = {Supporting Patients with Amputated Lower Limb in Accepting Their New Body Images by Traumatology Nurses of Central Hospital Yaoundé-Cameroon: An Exploratory Study
},
  journal = {American Journal of Health Research},
  volume = {12},
  number = {3},
  pages = {52-59},
  doi = {10.11648/j.ajhr.20241203.12},
  url = {https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ajhr.20241203.12},
  eprint = {https://article.sciencepublishinggroup.com/pdf/10.11648.j.ajhr.20241203.12},
  abstract = {This study aims at exploring the role of the nurse in supporting patients with the amputated lower limb towards the acceptance of their new body images in the traumatology B unit of the Central Hospital in Yaoundé-Cameroon. The study used a qualitative exploratory design. The study population was made up of eight nurses from the traumatology unit of the central hospital in Yaoundé-Cameroon. Data were collected using a semi-structured interview guide from a purposeful sample of nurses. The saturation level determined the sample size for the study. Data were analyzed using inductive content analysis. The results obtained from this study showed that it is difficult to take care of patients with amputated lower limbs as physical support e.g. hygiene care; wound dressings, pain evaluation and care were outlined by most of the nurses as the main mode of support given to patients. Consideration should be given to non-pharmacological and less invasive surgical interventions for phantom limb pain, as they are associated with less common and less severe side effects. Active listening, reassuring patients, helping relationship and confidence were the main elements of psychological support stated by the nurses. The main challenges nurses encountered in supporting amputated patients were difficult communication and language barrier. The findings from this study proposed that there were many factors to take into account in order to be able to help patients with amputated lower limb: physical and moral pain, the psychological aspect with modification of body image, loss of self-esteem etc... The nurse must demonstrate human and relational qualities and great psychological resistance in order to effectively support the amputated patient on the physical level by providing hygiene and comfort care, dressing; and on the psychological level by questioning the patients about their difficult emotions while being available to listen in order to establish a nursing diagnosis and help the patients to cope with their difficulties.
},
 year = {2024}
}

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TY  - JOUR
T1  - Supporting Patients with Amputated Lower Limb in Accepting Their New Body Images by Traumatology Nurses of Central Hospital Yaoundé-Cameroon: An Exploratory Study

AU  - Mispar Guinyonga Wankam
AU  - Kengne Djeudjo Ingrid Fabiola
AU  - Fouodji Engo François De Sales
Y1  - 2024/07/15
PY  - 2024
N1  - https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ajhr.20241203.12
DO  - 10.11648/j.ajhr.20241203.12
T2  - American Journal of Health Research
JF  - American Journal of Health Research
JO  - American Journal of Health Research
SP  - 52
EP  - 59
PB  - Science Publishing Group
SN  - 2330-8796
UR  - https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ajhr.20241203.12
AB  - This study aims at exploring the role of the nurse in supporting patients with the amputated lower limb towards the acceptance of their new body images in the traumatology B unit of the Central Hospital in Yaoundé-Cameroon. The study used a qualitative exploratory design. The study population was made up of eight nurses from the traumatology unit of the central hospital in Yaoundé-Cameroon. Data were collected using a semi-structured interview guide from a purposeful sample of nurses. The saturation level determined the sample size for the study. Data were analyzed using inductive content analysis. The results obtained from this study showed that it is difficult to take care of patients with amputated lower limbs as physical support e.g. hygiene care; wound dressings, pain evaluation and care were outlined by most of the nurses as the main mode of support given to patients. Consideration should be given to non-pharmacological and less invasive surgical interventions for phantom limb pain, as they are associated with less common and less severe side effects. Active listening, reassuring patients, helping relationship and confidence were the main elements of psychological support stated by the nurses. The main challenges nurses encountered in supporting amputated patients were difficult communication and language barrier. The findings from this study proposed that there were many factors to take into account in order to be able to help patients with amputated lower limb: physical and moral pain, the psychological aspect with modification of body image, loss of self-esteem etc... The nurse must demonstrate human and relational qualities and great psychological resistance in order to effectively support the amputated patient on the physical level by providing hygiene and comfort care, dressing; and on the psychological level by questioning the patients about their difficult emotions while being available to listen in order to establish a nursing diagnosis and help the patients to cope with their difficulties.

VL  - 12
IS  - 3
ER  -

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Author Information

Mispar Guinyonga Wankam

Training School for Nurses and Health Technicians, Yaoundé, Cameroon

Contact Email

http://orcid.org/0009-0000-9058-158X
Kengne Djeudjo Ingrid Fabiola

Advanced School of Health Sciences, Catholic University of Central Africa, Yaoundé, Cameroon

Contact Email
Fouodji Engo François De Sales

Training School for Nurses and Health Technicians, Yaoundé, Cameroon

Contact Email

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Plain Text BibTeX RIS

APA Style

Wankam, M. G., Fabiola, K. D. I., Sales, F. E. F. D. (2024). Supporting Patients with Amputated Lower Limb in Accepting Their New Body Images by Traumatology Nurses of Central Hospital Yaoundé-Cameroon: An Exploratory Study. American Journal of Health Research, 12(3), 52-59. https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ajhr.20241203.12

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ACS Style

Wankam, M. G.; Fabiola, K. D. I.; Sales, F. E. F. D. Supporting Patients with Amputated Lower Limb in Accepting Their New Body Images by Traumatology Nurses of Central Hospital Yaoundé-Cameroon: An Exploratory Study. Am. J. Health Res. 2024, 12(3), 52-59. doi: 10.11648/j.ajhr.20241203.12

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AMA Style

Wankam MG, Fabiola KDI, Sales FEFD. Supporting Patients with Amputated Lower Limb in Accepting Their New Body Images by Traumatology Nurses of Central Hospital Yaoundé-Cameroon: An Exploratory Study. Am J Health Res. 2024;12(3):52-59. doi: 10.11648/j.ajhr.20241203.12

Copy | Download

@article{10.11648/j.ajhr.20241203.12,
  author = {Mispar Guinyonga Wankam and Kengne Djeudjo Ingrid Fabiola and Fouodji Engo François De Sales},
  title = {Supporting Patients with Amputated Lower Limb in Accepting Their New Body Images by Traumatology Nurses of Central Hospital Yaoundé-Cameroon: An Exploratory Study
},
  journal = {American Journal of Health Research},
  volume = {12},
  number = {3},
  pages = {52-59},
  doi = {10.11648/j.ajhr.20241203.12},
  url = {https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ajhr.20241203.12},
  eprint = {https://article.sciencepublishinggroup.com/pdf/10.11648.j.ajhr.20241203.12},
  abstract = {This study aims at exploring the role of the nurse in supporting patients with the amputated lower limb towards the acceptance of their new body images in the traumatology B unit of the Central Hospital in Yaoundé-Cameroon. The study used a qualitative exploratory design. The study population was made up of eight nurses from the traumatology unit of the central hospital in Yaoundé-Cameroon. Data were collected using a semi-structured interview guide from a purposeful sample of nurses. The saturation level determined the sample size for the study. Data were analyzed using inductive content analysis. The results obtained from this study showed that it is difficult to take care of patients with amputated lower limbs as physical support e.g. hygiene care; wound dressings, pain evaluation and care were outlined by most of the nurses as the main mode of support given to patients. Consideration should be given to non-pharmacological and less invasive surgical interventions for phantom limb pain, as they are associated with less common and less severe side effects. Active listening, reassuring patients, helping relationship and confidence were the main elements of psychological support stated by the nurses. The main challenges nurses encountered in supporting amputated patients were difficult communication and language barrier. The findings from this study proposed that there were many factors to take into account in order to be able to help patients with amputated lower limb: physical and moral pain, the psychological aspect with modification of body image, loss of self-esteem etc... The nurse must demonstrate human and relational qualities and great psychological resistance in order to effectively support the amputated patient on the physical level by providing hygiene and comfort care, dressing; and on the psychological level by questioning the patients about their difficult emotions while being available to listen in order to establish a nursing diagnosis and help the patients to cope with their difficulties.
},
 year = {2024}
}

Copy | Download

TY  - JOUR
T1  - Supporting Patients with Amputated Lower Limb in Accepting Their New Body Images by Traumatology Nurses of Central Hospital Yaoundé-Cameroon: An Exploratory Study

AU  - Mispar Guinyonga Wankam
AU  - Kengne Djeudjo Ingrid Fabiola
AU  - Fouodji Engo François De Sales
Y1  - 2024/07/15
PY  - 2024
N1  - https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ajhr.20241203.12
DO  - 10.11648/j.ajhr.20241203.12
T2  - American Journal of Health Research
JF  - American Journal of Health Research
JO  - American Journal of Health Research
SP  - 52
EP  - 59
PB  - Science Publishing Group
SN  - 2330-8796
UR  - https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ajhr.20241203.12
AB  - This study aims at exploring the role of the nurse in supporting patients with the amputated lower limb towards the acceptance of their new body images in the traumatology B unit of the Central Hospital in Yaoundé-Cameroon. The study used a qualitative exploratory design. The study population was made up of eight nurses from the traumatology unit of the central hospital in Yaoundé-Cameroon. Data were collected using a semi-structured interview guide from a purposeful sample of nurses. The saturation level determined the sample size for the study. Data were analyzed using inductive content analysis. The results obtained from this study showed that it is difficult to take care of patients with amputated lower limbs as physical support e.g. hygiene care; wound dressings, pain evaluation and care were outlined by most of the nurses as the main mode of support given to patients. Consideration should be given to non-pharmacological and less invasive surgical interventions for phantom limb pain, as they are associated with less common and less severe side effects. Active listening, reassuring patients, helping relationship and confidence were the main elements of psychological support stated by the nurses. The main challenges nurses encountered in supporting amputated patients were difficult communication and language barrier. The findings from this study proposed that there were many factors to take into account in order to be able to help patients with amputated lower limb: physical and moral pain, the psychological aspect with modification of body image, loss of self-esteem etc... The nurse must demonstrate human and relational qualities and great psychological resistance in order to effectively support the amputated patient on the physical level by providing hygiene and comfort care, dressing; and on the psychological level by questioning the patients about their difficult emotions while being available to listen in order to establish a nursing diagnosis and help the patients to cope with their difficulties.

VL  - 12
IS  - 3
ER  -

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