Predictors of receiving non-surgical care by diagnostic groups at the initial ambulatory visit to orthopaedic surgeons: findings from multiple logistic regression.

<p>Predictors of receiving non-surgical care by diagnostic groups at the initial ambulatory visit to orthopaedic surgeons: findings from multiple logistic regression.</p

Cumulative percent curve for proportion of patients receiving orthopaedic surgery by diagnostic groups at initial ambulatory visit to orthopaedic surgeons.

<p>Cumulative percent curve for proportion of patients receiving orthopaedic surgery by diagnostic groups at initial ambulatory visit to orthopaedic surgeons.</p

Number of patients with ambulatory visits to orthopaedic surgeons and non-surgical patients by diagnostic groups at initial visit and age groups.

<p>Number of patients with ambulatory visits to orthopaedic surgeons and non-surgical patients by diagnostic groups at initial visit and age groups.</p

A qualitative study exploring healthcare professionals’ perceptions of lower limb 3D printed sockets

The purpose of this study was to explore healthcare professionals’ (HCPs) perceptions and experiences related to 3D scanning and 3D printing for fabricating lower limb prosthetic sockets. This study used a qualitative descriptive approach. Participants were recruited through HCPs’ professional associations, social media posts, and snowball sampling. Purposive sampling was used to attain variation in provider type. One-on-one telephone interviews were conducted using a semi-structured interview guide. Inductive thematic analysis was performed to identify the main themes. Three themes were identified: (1) 3D scanning of the residual limb for designing prosthetic sockets is perceived as clean, quick, and convenient; (2) concerns about the strength and safety of 3D printed sockets for long-term use; (3) Adoption of 3D scanning and 3D printing technology for fabricating prosthetic sockets. We identified perceived benefits and challenges with digital technologies for fabricating prosthetic sockets. To increase adoption, more research demonstrating its efficacy compared to conventional methods, increasing 3D printing material quality, and improving software training programs are needed.Implications for Rehabilitation3D printing and 3D scanning are emerging digital technologies that can be used as alternative methods for prosthetic socket manufacturing in the field of rehabilitation.Our research identified perceived benefits of using digital technologies for fabricating prosthetics sockets (3D scanning is perceived as clean, quick, and convenient) and perceived challenges (concerns about the strength and safety of 3D printed sockets for long-term use and a prolonged learning curve).To increase adoption of these digital technologies, more training should be provided to prosthetists and support provided to integrate new processes into staff workloads. 3D printing and 3D scanning are emerging digital technologies that can be used as alternative methods for prosthetic socket manufacturing in the field of rehabilitation. Our research identified perceived benefits of using digital technologies for fabricating prosthetics sockets (3D scanning is perceived as clean, quick, and convenient) and perceived challenges (concerns about the strength and safety of 3D printed sockets for long-term use and a prolonged learning curve). To increase adoption of these digital technologies, more training should be provided to prosthetists and support provided to integrate new processes into staff workloads.</p

Quality of life following non-dysvascular lower limb amputation is contextualized through occupations: a qualitative study

To understand how persons with non-dysvascular lower limb amputation (LLA) use occupations to contextualize their quality of life (QoL). A qualitative study using an interpretative description approach was conducted. Analysis of the interviews was guided by an occupational perspective, which considers the day-to-day activities that are important to an individual. Twenty adults with an adult-acquired non-dysvascular amputation (e.g., trauma, cancer or infection) were interviewed. Following thematic analysis, two main themes were developed: (1) sense of self expressed through occupations; and (2) sense of belonging with others influenced by occupations. Participants expressed the way they felt about themselves through their activities and placed high value on whether they could participate in certain occupations. Participants also described how their sense of belonging was changed through the context of their changing occupations. The findings from this work can be leveraged by clinicians and researchers alike to improve care for this population. Rehabilitation programs should consider interventions and programming that help to restore occupations or develop new ones given the importance placed on occupations by persons with non-dysvascular LLA. Quality of life is affected following non-dysvascular lower limb amputation due to physical, mental and psychosocial changes.Occupations (or day-to-day activities) are important components of quality of life for persons with lower limb amputation.Rehabilitation professionals should take into account the influence that occupations have on how persons with lower limb amputation perceive themselves when developing interventions and programming for this population.The influence occupations have on sense of belonging should also be considered by rehabilitation professionals when developing these interventions and programs for persons with non-dysvascular lower limb amputation. Quality of life is affected following non-dysvascular lower limb amputation due to physical, mental and psychosocial changes. Occupations (or day-to-day activities) are important components of quality of life for persons with lower limb amputation. Rehabilitation professionals should take into account the influence that occupations have on how persons with lower limb amputation perceive themselves when developing interventions and programming for this population. The influence occupations have on sense of belonging should also be considered by rehabilitation professionals when developing these interventions and programs for persons with non-dysvascular lower limb amputation.</p