Photographs in burn patient diaries: A qualitative study of patients’ and nurses’ experiences

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ObjectiveTo explore burn patients’ and burn intensive care nurses’ experiences of the photos in patient diaries. DesignA qualitative inductive study using thematic analysis was performed. We conducted individual interviews with six former burn patients (age range 20–77 years; four women), and two focus groups with 11 burn intensive care nurses (age range 38–61 years; all women). Data from patients and nurses were analysed together, and the findings reported according to the consolidated criteria for reporting qualitative research (COREQ). SettingA Norwegian burn centre where the writing of diaries including text and photos has been practiced for approximately two decades. FindingsThree main themes were derived from the combined analysis of the two data sets: hesitating when facing photos; visualising others care; and visualising the trajectory from burn trauma to recovery. Although the patients worried beforehand about what they would see in the photos and the nurses feared to select frightening photos, the photos were welcome, and several patients said they would have liked even more. The photos filled in gaps of memory, told more than words, and did not lie. Photos of family, friends or staff demonstrated shared actions that supported memories and recovery. ConclusionBoth the burn patients and the burn intensive care nurses considered photos to be an essential part of the diary that gave context and provided a factual presentation of the patients’ pathway of treatment, care and recovery. Implication for clinical practiceTailored information about photo content should be offered to patients before a diary is handed over to them. Nurses should attempt to include photos covering the patients’ entire stay at the burn centre, as well as photos of family, friends and staff. Individual nurses should be supported in their practical selection of photos for the diary.