Exploring how physiotherapists working in amputation rehabilitation in the United Kingdom manage falls and their views on the current falls outcome measures used for people with lower limb amputations

Abstract

Abstract: Purpose To explore physiotherapists’ experience in managing falls and their view on the current falls outcome measures.

Methods This qualitative semi-structured synchronous virtual interview was used. The study included UK physiotherapists in private and public hospitals/clinics with at least one year of expertise in amputation and prosthetic rehabilitation. The data was analysed thematically. The result: Three participants were interested in participating in the study. The data analysis revealed five main themes. All participants acknowledged that falls are inevitable with this PLLA regardless of the rehabilitation management plan. Moreover, participants concluded that the current falls outcome measures are mobility-based and not enough to capture risk factors or predict falls in PLLA.

Conclusion: This research concluded that there are gaps within the current practice of falls management and falls outcome measures. The current falls outcome measures are mobility-based, not all falls-related and not fully valid and reliable to the PLLA population.

Implications for rehabilitation: * Further high-quality research is needed to evaluate the validity and reliability of the use of fall outcome measures in the PLLA population. * The existing guidelines should include cognitive-based outcome measures to effectively assess all risk factors associated with falls, rather than solely relying on mobility-based measurements.