Burn Survivors' Experiences of the Ongoing Challenges after Discharge in South Korea: A Qualitative Study

Abstract

OBJECTIVE To help burn survivors during the recovery time after discharge, healthcare professionals need to understand their experiences and care requirements. However, little is known about the experience of burn survivors after discharge in South Korea. This study aims to explore their experiences in a community setting. METHODS Using a qualitative descriptive format, data were collected by semistructured interview from 10 patients who had sustained major burns. Each interview was based on a protocol of 60 to 90 minutes' duration and used a qualitative content analysis. RESULTS Three themes were identified in the analysis: (1) ongoing distressing symptoms and the unpredictability of hypertrophic scars, (2) difficulties in reintegration into society, and (3) burden of health expenditure. CONCLUSIONS Several participants expressed consistent difficulties with distressing symptoms such as wound pain, pruritus, sleep disturbances, and unpredictable scar and symptom changes. Survivors further described the financial burden associated with high expenditures from nonreimbursable rehabilitation expenses, and the high cost incurred with consistent skin care. By providing support based on their needs, appropriate interventions would be more readily available for burn survivors.