Introduction: Burn injuries have widespread and multifaceted impacts. They affect burn survivors, their family, carers, and the community. Despite advances in the management of burn injuries, gaps persist in delivery of quality healthcare. Understanding the lived experience of burn survivors and carers offers a valuable perspective to inform the development of more responsive and patient-centred models of care.
Methods: This qualitative study explored the lived experiences of six burn survivors and a carer. Invitations were sent to burn healthcare members and via a burn survivor website. Data were collected through semi-structured interviews conducted via Microsoft Teams between February 2023 and August 2024. Interviews were recorded, transcribed and subjected to inductive thematic analysis.
Results: Of the seven participants three were males, four females. Four of the survivors were injured as adults, two as children. Five overarching themes emerged from the analysis: receiving good information and communication; finding the way--post-discharge, rehabilitation, and transition; feeling vulnerable and not wanting to be seen; gaining strength from within and others; and more than a name or number--the stigma and challenges of burns. These themes reflect both the challenges faced by survivors and carers and the strengths they draw upon throughout their recovery journey.
Discussion: Survivor and carer insights gained from our study suggested quality care requires increased focus on areas such as more effective communication, post-discharge support, vulnerability, and psychosocial recovery. Supporting and fostering resilience for burn survivors and carers may also enhance quality of life. Results will inform development of resources aimed at educating and supporting burn survivors and carers.
Keywords: Burn; Model of care; Qualitative research; Survivor.
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