[Burn experiences from the patient's perspective]

Abstract

This study was aimed at identifying situations experienced by burned patients which they perceived as significant during hospitalization, as well as identifying the feelings and consequences that resulted from the reported situations. The Critical Incident Technique was used for data collection, based on descriptions of facts which patients had previously observed and experienced as referred to by their memories. Thirty patients were submitted to semi-structured interviews. The situations identified as significant were categorized as follows: feeling pain and having to subject themselves to procedures; having a new experience, receiving family and team support or not; and knowing the situation of other burned persons. The feelings and behaviors that were mentioned were anxiety and fear, and suffering and comfort when seeing others whose conditions are worse. From the perspective of patients, the consequences of going through this experience were changes in values, lifestyle, social role and health.