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The experience of wearing compression garments after burn injury: "On the inside it is still me"
Nicole Coghlan1, Jodie Copley2, Tammy Aplin2
1Royal Brisbane and Women's Hospital, Occupational Therapy Department, Bowen Bridge Rd & Butterfield St, Herston, QLD, 4029, Australia; The University of Queensland, St Lucia, QLD, 4072, Australia.
Background:
Compression garments are widely used for the management of hypertrophic scars, however, the patient experience of wearing compression garments remains minimally explored.
Objective:
To gain an understanding of the patient experience of wearing compression garments post burn injury, including why patients remove their garments.
Method:
Interpretive description was the methodological approach used in this study. Semi-structured interviews and a focus group were used to gain in-depth insights into the lived experience of wearing compression garments. Thematic analysis revealed key themes across the data and member checking confirmed data interpretation.
Results:
Three main themes related to wearing compression garments were identified: what it feels like to wear compression garments, what it is like to be a patient within a burns service and the impact of garments on patients' lives and recovery.
Conclusions:
The results highlighted a variety of influences that affected the individual experience of garment wear, highlighting the need for a patient centred approach by burn service providers.