Coping Strategies Adopted by Patients Sustaining Major Burns
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.51253/pafmj.v73i6.8473Keywords:
Burns, coping, Deep dermal burns, Exploratory study, StrategiesAbstract
Objective: To explore the various coping strategies used by patients sustaining major burns.
Study Design: Qualitative, exploratory study.
Place and Duration of Study: Department of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Combined Military Hospital, Rawalpindi
Pakistan, from Jan to Jun 2021.
Methodology: A total of 15 patients were selected who had been admitted to CMH Rawalpindi after sustaining 20-45% total body surface area deep dermal or full thickness burns requiring operative intervention. Semi-structured interviews
comprising eleven questions were conducted, and the strategies which these patients used to cope with different
psychological issues post-major burns were identified. Subthemes and themes were identified, and the data was analyzed by manual thematic analysis.
Results: Eight coping strategies were identified: help from religion, support from family and friends, use of recreational
activities, getting out of the house, doing exercise, getting back into a routine, the role of doctors and the use of the internet.
Conclusion: Solace from religion and support from family and friends were the most widely used coping strategies in our
setup. Getting back to routine helped them feel normal. Relaxation techniques and exercise were helpful but infrequently
used. Social media and the internet were used as a diversion and recreational tool. None of our patients went for
psychological counselling or group therapy sessions or used anxiolytics or antidepressants, which are an important part of
treatment in the West.
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