title: "This is not just a little accident": a qualitative understanding of paediatric burns from the perspective of parents.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To describe the experiences of parents of children admitted to hospital for a burn.
  
  
  METHODS
  In-depth interviews were conducted with 21 parents (14 mothers and seven fathers) of children who had sustained a burn requiring hospitalisation. Face-to-face interviews were conducted six months post-burn, in rural, remote and metropolitan areas. The interview guide explored the overall experience of parents and included probing questions exploring the perceptions, thoughts and feelings of participants. Interviews were digitally recorded and transcribed verbatim. Transcripts were analysed according to the seven-step Coliazzi method. Relationships between themes were explored to identify core concepts.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Analysis of interview transcripts revealed three phases that describe the parents' journey: experiencing the accident, the in-patient phase and the return to community. Within these phases, themes were identified. Themes represented subthemes of stressors, behavioural and emotional responses and coping factors.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Findings from this research will allow health professionals to optimise a holistic clinical service from a consumer's perspective at all stages of the burn journey. These research conclusions could be used for the development of protocols to underpin a comprehensive information and social support management plan for families that would complement and support the surgical, medical and therapeutic treatment plan, providing direction for comprehensive service delivery. Implications for Rehabilitation Health professionals should optimise a holistic clinical service from a consumer's perspective taking into consideration all stages of the burn journey. Therapeutic supports are required to target each phase of the burn journey and address changes in coping strategies and behavioural responses. There is a need for the development of protocols to underpin a comprehensive information and social support management plan for families that will complement and support the surgical and medical treatment plan.
authors.affiliation: Burns Total Care Unit, Princess Margaret Hospital , Perth , Australia .
authors.forename: Sarah
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: McGarry
authors.forename: Catherine
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Elliott
authors.forename: Ann
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: McDonald
authors.forename: Jane
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Valentine
authors.forename: Fiona
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Wood
authors.forename: Sonya
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Girdler
mesh_terms: D000223:Adaptation, Psychological; D000293:Adolescent; D002056:Burns / Q000523:psychology*; D002648:Child; D002673:Child, Hospitalized; D002675:Child, Preschool; D005260:Female; D006301:Health Services Needs and Demand; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007407:Interviews as Topic; D008297:Male; D010287:Parent-Child Relations; D010290:Parents / Q000523:psychology*; D036301:Qualitative Research; D012944:Social Support; D014904:Western Australia
keywords: Paediatric burn; paediatric trauma; parents