Experiences of severe burn survivors in the hospital-to-home transition.
Karina da Silva Vale Yagi, Vanessa da Silva Carvalho Vila, Maysa Ferreira Martins Ribeiro and 1 others
PMID 41059847WHAT IT FOUND
Severe burn survivors described going home as frightening and unsupported, with uncontrolled pain, scarring, lost work and difficult follow-up.
Family, faith and contact with the hospital team helped them adapt.
Key findings
01Survivors described returning home as frightening and unsupported, with pain that often was not controlled by prescribed medicines, and some sought relief without professional guidance.
02Scarring and hair loss damaged self-image, and public spaces caused discomfort or exclusion for many participants.
03Continuity of care was difficult because specialized services were far from home and local services were weak, so some relied on informal contacts made during hospitalization.
STILL TO COME
How it was doneWhat they foundWhat it means for PTsWhat it means for OTsWhat it means for RNs
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What it does not show
Only 13 survivors were studied, selected by convenience from one reference center, so the themes may not apply to other burn populations or health systems. Data collection occurred during the COVID-19 pandemic, when visit restrictions may have increased loneliness and emotional dependence on the nursing team. The study reports patients' perceptions and cannot quantify how common or intense the problems were. It did not test any discharge plan, follow-up service, or support intervention.
Declared interests
The supplied text reports funding by CAPES, Funding Code 001. It does not state author conflicts of interest.
The easy way to misread this
Do not read these themes as evidence that structured discharge planning, a named contact, family support, or faith improves recovery. This is a small qualitative study of 13 survivors' accounts, not a tested intervention.