Exploring spirituality in patients with lower limb amputations

Abstract

This study aimed to explore the definition of spirituality as perceived by clients with lower limb amputations (LLA) at the Physiotherapy Department in Malta's Rehabilitation Hospital. It also aimed to explore how spirituality contributed towards clients' coping with LLA. A purposive convenience sample of 10 clients with LLA were recruited and data were gathered through a focus group discussion. This study is part of a larger comparative study, conducted by Dr Donia Baldacchino, University of Malta and Ms Kristina Berg, University of Diakonova, Oslo, Norway. The interview was audio-tape recorded and transcribed and thematic analysis was done using the Thematic Analysis Framework (Burnard, 1991). Five themes emerged from the data, two of which aimed to define spirituality while the other three identified the role of spirituality in the coping of clients with LLA. A set of recommendations for clinical practice, education and the WHO were proposed in order to deliver holistic care to clients. Further research with a mixed method approach was suggested to investigate the definition of spirituality and its role in coping by various groups of people.