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Abstract
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PURPOSE: 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.
METHOD: 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.
RESULTS: 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.
CONCLUSION: 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. Implications for Rehabilitation Burn injuries are complex and multi-faceted and may impact on all aspects of a person's life; burns furthermore remain as one of the most devastating injuries one has to endure. Beyond the physical complications, a burn injury can also result in significant psychological and emotional distress due to the trauma of the event, fear of pain during physiotherapy rehabilitation and anticipation of stigmatisation. The physical manifestations and psychological sequela of the burn event should not be undermined and addressed in the acute stage of the injury to prevent possible long-term effects.
Language: en |