Helping burn patients to look at their injuries: How confident are burn care staff and how often do they help?

Patients vary in their feelings about looking at their injuries and burn care staff play an important role in helping patients. This study explored confidence among burn care staff in helping patients to look at their injuries and how often help was typically offered. Burn care professionals (n = 33) completed a questionnaire exploring confidence and practice in this area. Eighty-five percent (n = 28) believed it was important for patients to look at their injuries but a significant proportion lacked confidence in preparing patients for what they might see (18%; n = 6) and having the necessary practical skills required (24%; n = 8). Fifty-five percent (n = 18) worried about upsetting patients and 48% (n = 16) worried about saying/doing the wrong thing. Practice varied significantly. Only 21% (n = 7) regularly (most or all of the time) informed patients where mirrors were situated within the ward area. Eighteen percent (n = 6) of staff reported never or only occasionally asking patients if they had seen their injuries, 27% (n = 9) of staff never or only occasionally asked patients if they would like to see their injuries and 30% (n = 10) of staff never or only occasionally asked patients if they wanted any help looking at their injuries. Training in this area may be useful to enhance staff confidence so patients can be offered appropriate support.