"Managing uncertainty": Experiences of family members of burn patients from injury occurrence to the end-of-life period
Contribution to Journal
Bayuo, J., Bristowe, Katherine, Harding, Richard, Agbeko, Anita Eseenam, Baffour, Prince Kyei, Agyei, Frank Bediako, Wong, Frances Kam Yuet, Allotey, Gabriel, Agbenorku, Pius and Hoyte-Williams, Paa Ekow. 2021. ""Managing uncertainty": Experiences of family members of burn patients from injury occurrence to the end-of-life period." Burns (03054179). 47 (7), pp. 1647-1655. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.burns.2021.02.009
| Article Title | "Managing uncertainty": Experiences of family members of burn patients from injury occurrence to the end-of-life period |
|---|---|
| Authors | Bayuo, J., Bristowe, Katherine, Harding, Richard, Agbeko, Anita Eseenam, Baffour, Prince Kyei, Agyei, Frank Bediako, Wong, Frances Kam Yuet, Allotey, Gabriel, Agbenorku, Pius and Hoyte-Williams, Paa Ekow |
| Journal Title | Burns (03054179) |
| Journal Citation | 47 (7), pp. 1647-1655 |
| Number of Pages | 1647-1655 |
| Year | 2021 |
| Digital Object Identifier (DOI) | https://doi.org/10.1016/j.burns.2021.02.009 |
| Web Address (URL) | https://research.ebsco.com/linkprocessor/plink?id=340f7bc6-6391-3641-8fb8-85aa5413aa03 |
| Abstract | <bold>Background: </bold>Although mortality rates associated with burns have decreased, there is still a significant number of persons who may not survive severe forms of the injury and thus, undergo comfort/end of life care. The experiences of family members of persons whose injuries are deemed unsurvivable remain minimally explored and there is a general lack of practice guidelines and recommendations to support them at the end-of-life period.<bold>Aim: </bold>To explore the experiences of family members whose relatives died in the burn unit to inform the development of practice recommendations.<bold>Methods: </bold>Qualitative description was employed for this study. Convenience sampling was used to recruit 23 family members of injured persons who died in the burn unit. Face to face semi-structured interviews were conducted and followed up with telephone interviews. The interviews were audio-recorded, transcribed verbatim and thematic analysis performed inductively.<bold>Results: </bold>Three themes emerged: reactions following injury occurrence, navigating through the experience, and managing uncertainties about survival. The sudden nature of the injury led to feelings of self-blame, guilt, helplessness, and grief and these escalated at the end of life. As the family members journeyed through their uncertainties regarding the outcomes of care, they had a feeling of being a part of the patient's suffering. Family members received little professional support in coming to terms with their loss in the post-bereavement period.<bold>Conclusions: </bold>Family members experience distress following the occurrence of burns and at the endof-life period. Practice recommendations should focus on communication, bereavement, and post-bereavement support. |
| Keywords | Burn patients |
| ANZSRC Field of Research 2020 | 420316. Palliative care |
| 420599. Nursing not elsewhere classified | |
| Byline Affiliations | School of Nursing and Midwifery |
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https://research.usq.edu.au/item/zz277/-managing-uncertainty-experiences-of-family-members-of-burn-patients-from-injury-occurrence-to-the-end-of-life-period
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