"More than Scabs and Stitches": An Interview Study of Burn Survivors' Perspectives on Treatment and Recovery

Kimberly Dukes; Stephanie Baldwin; Joshua Hagedorn; Emily Ruba; Katherine Christel; Evangelia Assimacopoulos; Brian Grieve; Lucy A Wibbenmeyer

doi:10.1093/jbcr/irab062

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"More than Scabs and Stitches": An Interview Study of Burn Survivors' Perspectives on Treatment and Recovery

Journal article

Open access

Peer reviewed

"More than Scabs and Stitches": An Interview Study of Burn Survivors' Perspectives on Treatment and Recovery

Kimberly Dukes, Stephanie Baldwin, Joshua Hagedorn, Emily Ruba, Katherine Christel, Evangelia Assimacopoulos, Brian Grieve and Lucy A Wibbenmeyer

Journal of burn care & research, Vol.43(1), pp.214-218

01/05/2022

DOI: 10.1093/jbcr/irab062

PMCID: PMC8914497

PMID: 33895838

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Abstract

Sustaining a burn injury often results in a life-long recovery process. Survivors are impacted by changes in their mobility, appearance, and ability to carry out activities of daily living. In this study, we examined survivors' accounts of their treatment and recovery in order to identify specific factors that have had significant impacts on their well-being. With this knowledge, we may be better equipped to optimize the care of burn patients. We conducted inductive, thematic analysis on transcripts of in-depth, semistructured interviews with 11 burn survivors. Participants were purposefully selected for variability in age, gender, injury size and mechanism, participation in peer support, and rurality. Survivors reported varied perceptions of care quality and provider relationships. Ongoing issues with skin and mobility continued to impact their activities of daily living. Many survivors reported that they did not have a clear understanding or realistic expectations of the recovery process. Wound care was often described as overwhelming and provoked fear for many. Even years later, trauma from burn injury can continue to evolve, creating fears and impediments to daily living for survivors. To help patients understand the realistic course of recovery, providers should focus on communicating the nature of injury and anticipated recovery, developing protocols to better identify survivors facing barriers to care, and referring survivors for further support.

Activities of Daily Living

Adult

Burns - psychology

Burns - therapy

Female

Humans

Interviews as Topic

Male

Middle Aged

Quality of Life

Recovery of Function

Survivors - psychology

Details

Title: Subtitle: "More than Scabs and Stitches": An Interview Study of Burn Survivors' Perspectives on Treatment and Recovery
Creators: Kimberly Dukes - Roy J. and Lucille A. Carver College of Medicine
Stephanie Baldwin - Roy J. and Lucille A. Carver College of Medicine
Joshua Hagedorn - Roy J. and Lucille A. Carver College of Medicine
Emily Ruba - Roy J. and Lucille A. Carver College of Medicine
Katherine Christel - University of Iowa
Evangelia Assimacopoulos - University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics
Brian Grieve - Roy J. and Lucille A. Carver College of Medicine
Lucy A Wibbenmeyer - University of Iowa
Resource Type: Journal article
Publication Details: Journal of burn care & research, Vol.43(1), pp.214-218
DOI: 10.1093/jbcr/irab062
PMID: 33895838
PMCID: PMC8914497
NLM abbreviation: J Burn Care Res
ISSN: 1559-047X
eISSN: 1559-0488
Grant note: UL1 TR002537 / NCATS NIH HHS
Language: English
Date published: 01/05/2022
Academic Unit: Orthopedics and Rehabilitation; Surgery; Injury Prevention Research Center; General Internal Medicine; Community and Behavioral Health; Internal Medicine
Record Identifier: 9984322817302771

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