PERCEIVE study
Research type
Research Study
Full title
PrEdiction of Risk and Communication of outcomE followIng major lower limb amputation – a collaboratiVE study
IRAS ID
290579
Contact name
David Bosanquet
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
Aneurin Bevan University Health Board
Duration of Study in the UK
2 years, 0 months, 0 days
Research summary
The PERCEIVE study aims to explore how decisions about leg amputation are made by patients and healthcare professionals. This 2-year study is funded by the Health and Care Research Wales Research for Patient and Public Benefit Scheme.
Having a leg amputation is a high-risk, life changing event. Deciding whether to have an amputation can be extremely difficult. For patients with extensive foot wounds and/or pain (due to diabetes or artery blockages), this may involve balancing up the risks and benefits of surgery with continuing as they are. If very elderly patients develop leg problems only treatable by amputation, patients (and relatives/carers) face a difficult decision of surgery versus management of symptoms. Making the right decision at the right time is crucial. The wrong decision can result in reduced quality of life, patient and/or family regret, increased NHS costs and reduced engagement in rehabilitation.
PERCEIVE will explore amputation risk perception, communication and decision-making, from the perspectives of patients/families and surgeons/clinicians. We will audio-record 10-15 consultations between surgeons and patients where amputation is discussed, examining the communication and decision-making process. We will also conduct individual interviews with 10-15 patients and 10-15 healthcare professionals. Patients will be interviewed at two time points: as soon as possible after they discuss the possibility of leg amputation with a surgeon, and around six months later. We will identify what is important to patients, what information they need to make an informed decision and how best to communicate that information. Interviews with surgeons, anaesthetists and specialist physiotherapists will explore how they estimate risks and outcomes of amputation surgery, and how they communicate this to patients. Finally, we will discuss our findings with groups of patients and healthcare professionals, to identify key areas around amputation decision-making that can be improved and how best to further examine those areas.REC name
Wales REC 7
REC reference
20/WA/0351
Date of REC Opinion
19 Jan 2021
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion