Psychological approach to burn patients
Section: Revisiones
How to quote
Sánchez Jiménez A, Varela Martínez A. Abordaje psicológico del paciente quemado. Metas Enferm mar 2022; 25(2):56-64. Doi: https://doi.org/10.35667/MetasEnf.2022.25.1003081884
Authors
Aitana Sánchez Jiménez1, Arane Varela Martínez1
Position
1Graduada en Enfermería. Facultad de Medicina. Universidad Autónoma de Madrid (España)
Contact address
Aitana Sánchez Jiménez. C/ Pintor Velázquez, 75. 28935 Móstoles, Madrid (España)
Contact email: aitanashz@gmail.com
Abstract
Objectives: to analyse the current scientific evidence about the psychological approach to burn patients at the acute stage of their recovery process. Specific objectives: to understand the main emotional responses in burn patients at the acute stage of hospitalization, to determine the nursing interventions for emotional support targeted to burn patients, and to evaluate the emotional impact represented by hospital admission for relatives.
Method: a narrative review based on the PubMed, Cochrane, Cuiden, CINAHL and Scielo databases, and the European Burns Association website. Results were screened for English / Spanish / Portuguese, and from the last five years. The study excluded those articles on severely burnt patients managed at Intensive Care Units, as well as those on outpatients.
Results: sixteen (16) studies were included. The most frequent emotions experienced by burn patients during hospitalization were anxiety, depression, pain, homesickness, sadness, fear, dissatisfaction with body image, posttraumatic stress disorder symptoms, and difficulties sleeping. Non-pharmacological therapies such as aromatherapy, music therapy, muscle relaxation, hypnosis, and virtual reality, demonstrated great efficacy for addressing these emotions. Besides, burns had psychological impact on patients’ relatives, who experienced changes in role and feelings of concern, panic, confusion, fear or anxiety.
Conclusions: burn injuries had a negative impact on the emotional status of the burn patients and their relatives. It is important for Nursing professionals to incorporate the family in the plan of care, and to address the emotional response of the patient by using complementary non-pharmacological therapies.
Keywords:
Burns; burn patient; Hospital Care; nursing care; psychosocial impact; non-pharmacological interventions
Versión en Español
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