A qualitative analysis of family member needs and concerns in the population of patients with burns

The importance of family support to ameliorate the recovery of a patient with burns has been documented in the literature. However, there is a dearth of research that identifies family members' needs and concerns during the hospitalization of patients with burns. Study aims were as follows: (1) identify support needs and concerns of family members of adult and pediatric patients currently in a burn center and (2) explore the relationship between family needs and the patient's severity of injury. An observational design was used that incorporated semistructured interviews with family members 1 to 3 days after the burn. A convenience sample of family members of burn center patients (n = 97) was recruited over 9 months. Content analysis was used to establish themes from interview data. Interrater reliability on coding of thematic units from 15% of the interviews was 86%; discrepancies were corrected to 100%. The average family member was 42.3 years old, female, white, and at least a high school graduate. Family members' concerns included general patient concerns, physical concerns about the patient, satisfaction of personal needs, and psychologic concerns about the patient. Major sources of support were family and friends, burn center staff, and spirituality. Family members of pediatric patients identified pain and skin graft surgery as priority worries. Satisfaction of personal needs, financial support, and information needs were greater among family members of intensive care unit patients in comparison with step-down patients. These findings underscore the importance of communication and reassurance between the burn team and the family members. Alterations to the support provided to families can be made on the basis of study subjects' responses.