Experiences of paediatric burn patients and their caregivers on burn management at Ghana's premier burns centre: A qualitative study.

BACKGROUND

Paediatric burn injuries have a significant impact on the lives of children and their families, requiring specialised care and management. Understanding the unique experiences of paediatric burn patients and their caregivers is crucial for improving burn management strategies and enhancing patient outcomes.

OBJECTIVES

This study explored the experiences of paediatric burn patients and their caregivers with regard to in -hospital management and post-hospitalization needs at Ghana's premier burn centre.

METHODOLOGY

A qualitative study was conducted involving twelve paediatric burn patients aged 8-17 years (median age = 8.5 years; IQR = 7.0-10.0) and 12 caregivers (median age = 42.0 years; IQR = 34.3-46.5), all treated at a burns centre in Ghana from 2020 to the present. Semi-structured interview guides were used to gather data, and reflexive thematic analysis was employed to identify key themes.

RESULTS

Four themes emerged from the data analysis: (1) causes and pathways of burns, (2) reflections on burns management, (3) outcome and post-hospitalisation needs, and (4) suggestions for improving burn care.

CONCLUSION

The findings highlight high satisfaction with burn management and healthcare professionals at Ghana's premier burn centre. However, areas of improvement include procedural pain management, addressing persistent itchiness and scarring, and school integration of children post-hospitalisation. These results call for the development and implementation of standardized pain management protocols, targeted interventions for scar and itch relief, and structured psychosocial support for paediatric patients. Future research should also assess the effectiveness of these interventions.