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Severe Burn Injury in a Swine Model for Clinical Dressing Assessment
Published on: November 6, 2018
The aftermath of burn injury from the child's perspective: A qualitative study
Marthe R Egberts1,2, Rinie Geenen2, Alette Ee de Jong1,3
1Association of Dutch Burn Centres, The Netherlands.
Insights
Pediatric burn injuries are distressing for children. This study highlights the importance of parental support and addresses the psychosocial impact and coping strategies children use after a burn event.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric medicine
- Psychology
- Trauma care
Background:
- Burn injuries significantly impact children's well-being.
- Hospitalization following a burn event can be a distressing experience for pediatric patients.
Purpose of the Study:
- To explore and understand the lived experiences of children who have sustained burn injuries.
- To identify key themes in children's reflections on burn events and their aftermath.
Main Methods:
- Semi-structured interviews were conducted with eight children aged 12-17 years.
- Thematic analysis was employed to code interview transcripts and identify overarching categories.
Main Results:
- Three primary categories emerged: vivid memories of the event, the crucial role of parental support, and the psychosocial impact including coping mechanisms.
- Children's reflections revealed significant emotional and psychological responses to burn injuries.
Conclusions:
- Healthcare providers should assess children's perceptions of their burn injury.
- Emphasizing the parent's role in care and preparing families for post-discharge psychological challenges is vital.
- Tailored interventions can improve psychosocial outcomes for pediatric burn survivors.
Abstract:
A burn injury event and subsequent hospitalization are potentially distressing for children. To elucidate the child's experience of pediatric burn injury, children's reflections on the burn event and its aftermath were examined. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with eight children (12-17 years old). Using thematic analysis, interview transcripts were coded and codes were combined into overarching categories. Three categories were identified: vivid memories; the importance of parental support; psychosocial impact and coping. Implications for care are discussed in terms of assessing children's appraisals, paying attention to the parent's role, and preparing families for potential psychological barriers after discharge.
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