A survey of attitudes of burn unit nurses

Abstract

The staff of a burn unit was surveyed concerning attitudes about their patients and the treatment procedure. Previous research indicates that in such medical settings paradoxical interactions (double binds) may occur among staff, patient, and family. We hypothesized that the paradoxical environment of burn care units facilitates individuals who can change their perspective (or reframe these situations) and that this ability is related to attitudes and feelings about burn patients and their treatment. Contrary to expectation, however, reframing ability and attitudes about burn care were not related. Staff members are quite positive about burn treatment and agree that the staff instills hope. The staff's endorsement of providing accurate information, while behaving optimistically even if pessimistic about the patient's condition, does represent possible double-binding communication patterns. Nursing managers with high reframing ability may facilitate staff coping with these issues.