The experience of acute burns of the hand - patients perspectives

This study endeavoured to explore the experiences of adult patients with acute burns of the hand in order to gain insight and understanding the effects of the burn injury on their participation in rehabilitation.

A qualitative study design that adopted an explorative and interpretive phenomenological approach was employed, using the International Classification of Function, Disability and Health (ICF) as a conceptual framework. Five participants with acute hand burn injuries were recruited from five public hospitals in KwaZulu-Natal to participate in an in-depth semi structured interview.

The results revealed that some of the most significant components of the burn experience included the trauma of the incident, fear of the pain during therapy, stigmatisation as well as, more positively, personal growth as a result of overcoming physical limitations and achieving independence in their activities of daily living.

This study showed that a holistic approach, in which the physical, psychosocial and emotional needs of the individual were addressed, was paramount to the patients' experience of therapy, recovery and future outlook. It emphasised the need for early psychological intervention and the value of providing an understanding and empathetic approach in addressing the needs and expectations of the patient.