What is the cost, impact, and willingness to pay for an Amputee Peer Support Program?

The provision of peer support from those who have already made positive adjustments to amputation is recommended for people incurring a major limb amputation; however, few receive this service.

From a program perspective, determine the cost, impact, and willingness to pay for an Amputee Peer Support Program.

Cost analysis.

Cost of the Amputee Peer Support Program included a cost analysis of program data over a 5-year time horizon (2013-2018) reported in Australian Dollars 2018/2019. Impact and willingness to pay for an Amputee Peer Support Program was determined through surveys of the 3 participant groups: referring health professionals, program volunteers, and program participants.

Over 5 years, there were 793 program participants, serviced by 256 program volunteers, for a cost of $631,497. The cost per program participant was $796. Thirty-eight health professionals, 86 program volunteers, and 12 program participants reported on impact and willingness to pay. The Program was reported to have a positive impact on all participant groups. The themes of access to resources and information and the provision of social and emotional well-being were identified across all 3 groups as being important. All 3 groups reported a higher willingness to pay for the health service (range $113-$450), National Disability Insurance Scheme ($156-$432), and private health insurance ($153-$347), and a lower willingness to pay for the program participant ($23-$49).

Amputee peer support had a positive impact on those receiving and providing the service. Amputee peer support is likely to be a powerful yet inexpensive addition to routine care.