Table I.

Abbreviated moderator guide

Section	Topic and questions	Time (min)
1	Introduction Welcome: give background for project and explain purpose of focus group Disclosures: session is recorded for analysis, names will not be transcribed Ground rules: only one person talks at a time, allow every participant equal time to share, there are no right or wrong answers Sign consent forms	10
2	Warm up Participants introduce themselves by first name only “How long have you been living with your amputation?” “How many procedures, if any, did you have to try and save your leg?”	10
3	Impact of amputation on daily function and quality of life “How has having an amputation changed your life?” “Are there activities you do less often or not at all anymore?” “Do you have to rely more on others?” “How has having an amputation affected your work?” “How about your ability to do chores? Or your ability to take care of yourself?” “How has having an amputation changed your sex life?”	20
4	Experiences with mobility aids and prostheses “Tell us about your experiences moving around inside and outside of your home.” “How about climbing stairs? Walking up ramps? Using elevators?” “How about carrying things?” “How many of you have a prosthesis? Do you use it? How often?” “How many of you have a wheelchair? Do you use it? How often?” “What differences are there when you use a prosthesis, or don’t? “	15
5	Emotional impact Revisit emotional impacts that were already mentioned during the session …” Are there any other ways that your amputation has affected you emotionally?” “What kind of help is available to help you deal with these issues?” “Do you talk with other amputees? Do you/Would you find this useful?” “In what ways could your doctors or others help you with these emotional issues?”	10
6	Concerns about having an amputation “What bothers you the most about having an amputation?” “What bothered you the most about your leg before it was amputated?” Ask about pain prior, pain now, phantom limb pain/sensation, medication use. Ask about frustration/embarrassment/depression. “Are you concerned about the leg that was not amputated? How so and why?” Ask about current ischemic symptoms in contralateral leg.	20
7	Attitudes about treatment course before amputation “If you knew then what you know now, would you have made the same decision about having your leg amputated?” “Do you wish your amputation had been done sooner? Why? At what point?” “At what point would you prefer having an amputation over keeping your leg?” “Are you satisfied with your treatment course? Anything you wish was different?”	15
8	Anything else? “What would you like to give as feedback to your doctors about your experience?” “Is there anything else you would like to say?” “Is there anything I should have asked you, but did not?”	5
9	Closing Thank you; distribute cash incentive & contact information for further questions.	5

This table shows a summative listing of the key categories investigated and questions that were asked by the focus group moderator. The guide was revised after each session with the final version depicted here. Moderators were ad liberty to expound and lead the group discussion as they felt, however, they had to include all these key questions.