Dressing changes in a burns unit for children under the age of five: A qualitative study of mothers' experiences

During dressing changes for young children with burns:
- Mothers desire services that foster a sense of their ownership and empowerment.
- There is a complex interaction between the emotional displays of mothers and their child.
- Mothers value being informed and prepared for what to expect.
- Mothers hold a trusting, non-judgemental relationship with health professionals in high regard.

This study aimed to investigate the experiences of mothers who had attended their child's burn dressing changes. Participants were recruited from a burns unit based within a children's hospital. Face-to-face interviews were conducted with five mothers of children under the age of five who had undergone a series of dressing changes taking place on the burns unit. The interview guide explored parents' experience of initial and subsequent dressing changes. Participants were prompted to explore their expectations, thoughts, feelings and behaviours associated with these experiences. The interviews were recorded and transcribed verbatim. Transcripts were analysed using interpretative phenomenological analysis. The analysis identified four themes: 'needing to fulfil the responsibilities associated with being a mother'; 'emotional synchrony between mother and child'; 'being informed and knowing what to expect'; and 'the importance of establishing rapport with nurses performing dressing changes'. Findings from this research can inform services to help optimise mothers' experiences of dressing changes in this stage of pediatric burn care.