| Citation: |
Dajpratham, P., Tantiniramai, S., Lukkapichonchut, P., and Kaewmaree, S. (2008). Factors associated with vocational reintegration among the Thai lower limb amputees.
Journal of the Medical Association of Thailand, 91
(2),
234-239.
|
| Title: |
Factors associated with vocational reintegration among the Thai lower limb amputees |
| Authors: |
Dajpratham, P., Tantiniramai, S., Lukkapichonchut, P., and Kaewmaree, S. |
| Year: |
2008 |
|
Journal/Publication:
|
Journal of the Medical Association of Thailand |
| Publisher: |
Phaetaya Samakom haeng Prathet Thai |
| Full text: |
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/18389989
|
PDF
|
| Peer-reviewed? |
Yes
|
| NIDILRR-funded? |
Not reported
|
|
Research design:
|
Survey research
|
| Background: |
Vocational rehabilitation is important to the rehabilitation process, as people who have lost limbs will have to acclimate themselves with their new condition and possibly their prosthesis, and this may have an effect on their work. Despite this, there has been no research regarding vocational rehabilitation for lower limb amputation in Thailand. |
|
Purpose:
|
Studying vocational rehabilitation, and factors associated with vocational reintegration in amputation patients. |
|
Setting:
|
The studied group was selected from a list of patients of three centers which provided prostheses to those who needed them. Specifically, they were one medical school in Bangkok and two general hospitals in Ratchaburi and Chanthaburi, respectively. |
|
Study sample: |
To be included in the survey, the subjects had to be at least 17 years old, have had a lower limb amputated more than 6 months ago, and have received a prosthesis from the hospitals in question. |
|
Data collection and analysis:
|
A total of 450 surveys were collected, and subjected to statistical analysis, including a chi-squared test for qualitative data. |
|
Findings:
|
Higher education levels, younger age at time of amputation, and the reason for amputation all had a significant effect on the reintegration of the subject back into a work environment. Those who required amputation due to blast injuries from mines, congenital problems, or traffic accidents were more likely to return to work than those who had amputations due to diabetes or other medical problems. The comfort of the prosthesis was also a significant factor. |
|
Conclusions:
|
The information gathered will be helpful in assisting rehabilitation personnel in further helping future patients in need of vocational rehabilitation to improve their productivity and quality of life. |
