1. Ageing, limb-loss and military veterans: a systematic review of the literature.
- Author
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CADDICK, NICK, CULLEN, HELEN, CLARKE, AMANDA, FOSSEY, MATT, HILL, MICHAEL, MCGILL, GILL, GREAVES, JANE, TAYLOR, TERI, MEADS, CATHERINE, and KIERNAN, MATTHEW D
- Subjects
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PSYCHOLOGICAL aspects of aging , *ADAPTABILITY (Personality) , *PSYCHOLOGICAL adaptation , *PSYCHOLOGY of amputees , *ARTIFICIAL limbs , *CINAHL database , *HEALTH status indicators , *INFORMATION storage & retrieval systems , *MEDICAL databases , *PSYCHOLOGY information storage & retrieval systems , *EVALUATION of medical care , *MEDICAL needs assessment , *MEDICAL care costs , *MEDLINE , *QUALITY of life , *REHABILITATION , *MILITARY personnel , *SPORTS , *PSYCHOLOGY of veterans , *SYSTEMATIC reviews , *PATIENTS' attitudes , *ATTITUDES toward disabilities , *OLD age - Abstract
The impact of losing a limb in military service extends well beyond initial recovery and rehabilitation, with long-term consequences and challenges requiring health-care commitments across the lifecourse. This paper presents a systematic review of the current state of knowledge regarding the long-term impact of ageing and limb-loss in military veterans. Key databases were systematically searched including: ASSIA, CINAHL, Cochrane Library, Medline, Web of Science, PsycArticles/PsychInfo, ProQuest Psychology and ProQuest Sociology Journals, and SPORTSDiscus. Empirical studies which focused on the long-term impact of limb-loss and/or health-care requirements in veterans were included. The search process revealed 30 papers relevant for inclusion. These papers focused broadly on four themes: (a) long-term health outcomes, prosthetics use and quality of life; (b) long-term psycho-social adaptation and coping with limb-loss; (c) disability and identity; and (d) estimating the long-term costs of care and prosthetic provision. Findings present a compelling case for ensuring the long-term care needs and costs of rehabilitation for older limbless veterans are met. A dearth of information on the lived experience of limb-loss and the needs of veterans' families calls for further research to address these important issues. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
- Published
- 2019
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