A qualitative study exploring how religion and spirituality shape perceptions, experiences, and practices of the disposal of amputated limbs in the UK
Religion is a powerful institution with strong influence in people’s lives and can influence health behaviours, which may result in health and healthcare implications. Religion is thought to have an influence on how patients may wish their body parts to be treated as various religions and cultures demand that the body be treated in a specific way. While both amputation patients and healthcare professionals (HCPs) are calling for support in disposing amputated limbs, there remains paucity of knowledge and research about disposal of amputated limbs. There is no research that has explored how religion and spirituality shape perceptions, experiences, and practices of the disposal of amputated limbs in the UK. The proposed study aims to bridge this gap. This is a qualitative, cross-sectional study drawing on several participant populations including amputees, HCPs working with amputation patients, and religious leaders. The study used constructivist grounded theory to guide the research process. Data collection involved in depth one on one interviews with amputees, HCPs and religious leaders. Data collection was carried out in two phases comprising a pilot phase with initial four amputees and two HCPs to test and adjust interview schedules and provide initial data collection and analysis insight to shape the consecutive interviews. To reach theoretical saturation, the researcher conducted 16 interviews with amputees, 12 interviews with HCPs and 10 interviews with religious leaders. The theoretical framework used in this study was drawn from religious fluidity, cultural competence and institutional ignorance. This PhD shows that people with amputations are not receiving appropriate disposal care that meets their spiritual needs and there is space for improvement for provision of spiritual care in disposal and amputation. This PhD provides the first scholarly account which used religious fluidity, cultural competence and institutional ignorance to understand the provision of spiritually sensitive care in amputation and limb disposal hence contributing to the theory of limb disposal in healthcare settings in UK. This consequently develops the concept of the spiritual gap in amputation care.
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