One important topic being covered at this year’s EDFN National Conference is how conversations about amputation can impact mental health, which will be delivered by chartered counselling psychologist, Catherine Bewsey.
Her session, Counselling, conventions and mental health in decision-making: there is a greater fear of limb loss than death, will explore how having an amputation is like losing a part of self.
It will examine how a psychologically informed conversation can support patients to make an informed decision when faced with such a procedure, with delegates set to hear how counselling can help a patient prepare and adjust to amputation will also be discussed.
The session will help delegates to:
- Understand how conversations about amputation can impact mental health
- Understand how psychology can benefit teams when having difficult conversations about amputation
- Learn more about amputation and the adjustment process.
Catherine is a Diabetes Clinical Champion with over 20 years’ experience of working in diabetes. Her current role is with the multi-disciplinary footcare team at St George’s Hospital in London where she works with inpatients, outpatients and the team itself.
Catherine led an ICB project which involved scoping the need for psychological services in community as well as acute footcare clinics. Results of this project evidence the need for greater psychological support and access for patients across the entire diabetes pathway.
She said: “The psychology role is important because people with foot at risk of amputation often have complex mental and physical healthcare problems. This impacts on self-management. Psychological support can help a team better engage their patients in taking care of their diabetes and feet.
“In my clinical role I assess and treat patients and offer support, advice, consultation, and training to the multi-disciplinary footcare team.
“My leadership role has included giving national presentations and contributing to guidelines, including NICE and various other diabetes initiatives.”
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