title: Using online blogs to explore positive outcomes after burn injuries.
abstract: This study uses blog analysis, a new and novel technique, to explore the positive outcomes experienced by burn survivors. This study examined 10 burn survivor blogs to offer a unique, longitudinal insight into burn survivor recovery. Using thematic analysis, three themes emerged: shift in self-perception, enhanced relationships and a change in life outlook. Many of these themes contained stories and experiences unique to a traumatic burn injury, suggesting that standardised trauma scales are not effectively measuring the impact of a burn in this population. Reflections on blog analysis are discussed, along with a recommendation that health researchers utilise the vast amount of data available from online blogs.
authors.affiliation: 1 University of the West of England, UK.
authors.forename: Kirsty
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Garbett
authors.affiliation: 1 University of the West of England, UK.|2 Children's Burns Research Centre, UK.
authors.forename: Diana
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Harcourt
authors.affiliation: 3 University of Nottingham, UK.
authors.forename: Heather
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Buchanan
mesh_terms: D057218:Blogging; D002056:Burns / Q000523:psychology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D017741:Survivors / Q000523:psychology*; D016896:Treatment Outcome
keywords: Internet; appearance; blog; methodology; post-traumatic growth; qualitative methods; trauma