Working with patients who have big burns: exploring the perspectives of senior medical staff of different professional groups.

This study aimed to explore the views of senior medical staff on the emotional impact and dilemmas of working with patients who have big burns. Six members of medical staff from different professional groups were interviewed: two consultant plastic and reconstructive surgeons, two consultant anesthetists, and two senior physiotherapists. Their interviews were analyzed using a qualitative methodology, namely interpretative phenomenological analysis. The emerging patterns were discussed in the light of systemic and social constructionist theory. The emerging themes revolved around three main areas. The participants shared their ideas on the tensions around decision-making and the different positions they take when they have to make life-or-death decisions or when they have to live with the consequences of these decisions taken by others. They brought to the discussion differing ideas about what they consider as the right emotional distance and emotional talk with patients. Finally, they reflected on intragroup ways of support generated by their burns team and they highlight the use of humor and the use informal networks as ways of support.