| Summary: | Amputation patients have a great deal more than just physical recovery to contend with
and the extent and scope of this condition is largely unknown in South Africa.
Rehabilitation programmes for amputees, specifically at state institutions are
characterised by lack of resources, lack of information provided to patients and the
patients themselves seem to experience lack of support on an emotional and
psychological level.
This study investigates the experience of self of the amputation patient through a review
of the literature available and from an ecosystemic-postmodernist viewpoint. In addition,
guided imagery is examined as a technique that could add value to rehabilitation
programmes for amputation patients.
Health care professionals in two state hospitals in Pretoria were interviewed by means of
semi-structured questionnaires to obtain additional information on current rehabilitation
programmes as well as the experience of the amputation and the subsequent process for
the amputee. Themes extracted from these questionnaires were used to design a
suggested rehabilitation programme. This programme, based on the findings of the
research, suggests certain enhancements to existing programmes and is focussed on
supporting the experience of the process for the amputee through inclusion of specific
guided imagery texts. === Psychology === M.A.(Clinical Psychology)
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