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Thesis/Dissertation Information
- Degree Disciplines:
- Nursing
Notes
- Abstract:
- Background: Diabetes is a chronic disease that occurs when the pancreas does not produce enough insulin or when the body cannot effectively use the insulin it produces. Hyperglycemia may result over time, leading to serious damage to many of the body's systems, especially the nerves and blood vessels. Lower extremity amputation is a very severe complication of diabetes mellitus. In general, traumatic lower-extremity amputations occur at a higher rate in those with diabetes than with any other concomitant medical illness. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (2011) affirms that the overall rate of lower-extremity amputation is 4.1 per 1,000 persons with diabetes, and about 3 per 10,000 of those in the entire population. Lower-extremity amputations have a profound effect on an individual’s quality of life and are associated not only with increased health care costs but also increased risk of mortality. Purpose: The purpose of this study was to explore, understand, and describe the lived experience of Barbadians living in Barbados with a lower-extremity amputation as a complication of long-term diabetes mellitus. Philosophical Underpinnings: This qualitative study was guided by the hermeneutic phenomenological approach of Max van Manen (1990). Methods: The hermeneutic-phenomenological approach of Max van Manen was used to guide this study. Guided by the phenomenological method described by van Manen, recordings were transcribed, reviewed, and confirmed with the participants. The theory of transition proposed by Meleis (2010) provided a lens to comprehend further the lived experience of Barbadians with lower-extremity amputations as a complication of long-term diabetes mellitus. Results: Four related themes of devastating, accepting, adjusting, and transitioning emerged and represented the participants’ lives as amputees. Conclusions: This research study highlighted the depth of challenges confronting the Barbadian diabetic amputee. A significant aspect of the experience of living as an amputee was searched for meaning, which individuals address as they look to the future.
- Thesis:
- Thesis (Ph.D.)--Barry University, 2016.
- Bibliography:
- Includes bibliographical references (leaves 256-277).
Record Information
- Source Institution:
- Barry University
- Holding Location:
- Barry University Archives and Special Collections
- Rights Management:
- Copyright Heather Maureen Brathwaite. Permission granted to Barry University to digitize, archive and distribute this item for non-profit research and educational purposes. Any reuse of this item in excess of fair use or other copyright exemptions requires permission of the copyright holder.
- Resource Identifier:
- RA645.D5 B73 2016_BrathwaiteHeatherMaureen ( BU-Local )
- Classification:
- RA645.D5 B73 2016 ( lcc )
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