Prevalence and Outcomes Following Major Lower Extremity Amputation in Select Caribbean Countries

This project will study the prevalence and factors leading to preventable lower-limb amputations in the Bahamas, and how health systems can better protect patients at risk. The intern will work with clinicians and researchers at Princess Margaret Hospital in Nassau to review hospital records from the past decade and identify how often amputations occur, which patient and system factors increase risk, and what health outcomes follow amputation. The goal is to generate the first longitudinal study on lower-limb amputation in the Bahamas, where diabetes and vascular disease are common but access to specialist care is limited. For the host institution, this project will provide actionable data to support better planning of limb-preservation services, improve referral pathways, and inform local clinical and policy decision-making. The initiative will also further strengthen the international research partnership between Princess Margaret Hospital and the University of Toronto, and is directly relevant to the Canadian health system, where persistent inequities in access to care contribute to higher amputation rates among underserved populations. Together, the collaboration will create a foundation for planned future multi-country studies across the Caribbean and support scalable, data-driven solutions to reduce avoidable amputations.

Faculty Supervisor:

Anna Dare

Student:

Partner:

University of the West Indies (Bahamas Campus)

Discipline:

Life Sciences

Sector:

Health and Related Sciences & Technology

University:

University of Toronto

Program: