Researchers conducted a feasibility study of a decision aid for patients for amputation-level selection and concluded that the tools and the study measures appeared well suited for a larger efficacy trial. The goal was to gather data about usability of the AMPDECIDE tools (one transmetatarsal versus transtibial amputation, the other transtibial versus transfemoral amputation), gather efficacy data about an amputation-level specific knowledge scale, identify any patient barriers to the use of the decision aids, and evaluate the feasibility of the study methods.
A convenience sample of 11 dysvascular patients (2 pre-amputation and 9 post-amputation) seen by the vascular or orthopedic surgery services at two facilities were recruited. Enrolled patients completed baseline measures including amputation-level knowledge items, then reviewed the decision aid with a research coordinator, followed by additional measures of control preference, numeracy, literacy and open-ended questions.
The patients rated the decision aids as easy to navigate, and nearly all expressed a desire to see their personalized mobility and reamputation risks should they be made available. They demonstrated 17 percent improved amputation level knowledge after exposure to the decision aids. In addition, 81 percent of the patients indicated wanting to participate in the amputation-level decision.
The open-access study, “AMPDECIDE amputation level patient decision aids: A feasibility study,” was published in BMC Medical Informatics and Decision Making.
