Understanding Prosthetic Needs and Outcomes in Women Veterans With Amputation

The proportion of US Veterans who are women is currently at its highest point in history and is projected to continue increasing. Nonetheless, the literature regarding prosthetic and functional outcomes in women Veterans with lower extremity amputation (LEA) is nearly non-existent. Research in other healthcare systems indicates the presence of concerning gender differences in both prosthetic outcomes and functional mobility, with women being less likely to be prescribed a prosthesis, less likely to use it, and more likely to be dissatisfied than men. This mixed-methods study will use VA administrative data, qualitative interviews, and a patient survey to characterize women Veterans' outcomes as well as compare them to those of male Veterans, resulting in the largest study to date on women Veterans with LEA. Data from this rigorous evaluation will inform clinical care by identifying intervention targets to improve prosthetic and functional outcomes for this understudied population.