Healthcare Practitioners’ perspectives on paediatric burns management at Korle Bu Teaching Hospital, Ghana
Background: Paediatric burns pose significant challenges in healthcare management. Paediatric burns require specialized care due to the distinct anatomical and physiological characteristics of children, which make them more vulnerable to complications. In resource-limited settings like Ghana, the ab...
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| Language: | English |
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Elsevier
2025-01-01
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| Series: | Burns Open |
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| Online Access: | http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2468912224000750 |
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| author | Alberta A. Rockson Natalie Benjamin-Damons Sonti Imogene Pilusa |
| author_facet | Alberta A. Rockson Natalie Benjamin-Damons Sonti Imogene Pilusa |
| author_sort | Alberta A. Rockson |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Background: Paediatric burns pose significant challenges in healthcare management. Paediatric burns require specialized care due to the distinct anatomical and physiological characteristics of children, which make them more vulnerable to complications. In resource-limited settings like Ghana, the absence of adequate supplies and standardized protocols can exacerbate these challenges, necessitating the need for a comprehensive understanding of the perspectives of healthcare practitioners involved in their care.Study Objective.To explore healthcare practitioners’ perspectives on paediatric burns management at a tertiary hospital, Ghana, covering current practices, barriers, impacts on patients and families, and recommendations for improvement. Methodology: This study employed a qualitative research approach utilizing Focus Group Discussion (FGD) with 15 participants from various disciplines, including Plastic Surgery, Medicine, Anaesthetics, Physiotherapy, Occupational Therapy, Dietetics, Nursing, Pharmacy, Clinical Psychology, Public Health Nursing and. Laboratory Scientist. Participants were recruited through a convenience sampling technique. The discussion lasting approximately 90 min, were audio recorded, and facilitated by a discussion guide based on existing literature. The audio recordings were transcribed verbatim, and the transcripts were compared with handwritten notes for accuracy. The final transcribed data were coded and analyzed using thematic content analysis to identify recurring themes and patterns. Results: Findings revealed four primary themes: strengths of current practices (multidisciplinary approach, experienced practitioners), barriers (lack of formal protocols, infrastructure limitations, financial burdens), contextual factors influencing burn care (psychological trauma, inadequate support, socio-cultural beliefs and socioeconomic status), and recommendations for enhancing burns care (improved social welfare, facility upgrades, staff training and mental health support). Conclusion: While burns care has improved in Ghana, there are clear opportunities for improvement. A move towards more integrated care, the development of locally adapted protocols, better financial support, and enhanced caregiver education are essential next steps in elevating the quality of paediatric burn management in Ghana. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-d589f15fca8c45fd8dc9d0c2e296ca6c |
| institution | Kabale University |
| issn | 2468-9122 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-01-01 |
| publisher | Elsevier |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Burns Open |
| spelling | doaj-art-d589f15fca8c45fd8dc9d0c2e296ca6c2025-01-19T06:26:26ZengElsevierBurns Open2468-91222025-01-019100387Healthcare Practitioners’ perspectives on paediatric burns management at Korle Bu Teaching Hospital, GhanaAlberta A. Rockson0Natalie Benjamin-Damons1Sonti Imogene Pilusa2Faculty of Health Sciences, School of Therapeutics, Department of Physiotherapy, University of Witwatersrand, Private Bag 3, WITS, 2050, Johannesburg, South Africa; National Reconstructive Plastic Surgery and Burns Centre (NRPS & BC) Korle- Bu Teaching Hospital, Ghana, P.O.BOX KB 77, Ghana; Corresponding author at: Faculty of Health Sciences, School of Therapeutics, Department of Physiotherapy, University of Witwatersrand, Private Bag 3, WITS, 2050, Johannesburg, South Africa.Faculty of Health Sciences, School of Therapeutics, Department of Physiotherapy, University of Witwatersrand, Private Bag 3, WITS, 2050, Johannesburg, South AfricaFaculty of Health Sciences, School of Therapeutics, Department of Physiotherapy, University of Witwatersrand, Private Bag 3, WITS, 2050, Johannesburg, South AfricaBackground: Paediatric burns pose significant challenges in healthcare management. Paediatric burns require specialized care due to the distinct anatomical and physiological characteristics of children, which make them more vulnerable to complications. In resource-limited settings like Ghana, the absence of adequate supplies and standardized protocols can exacerbate these challenges, necessitating the need for a comprehensive understanding of the perspectives of healthcare practitioners involved in their care.Study Objective.To explore healthcare practitioners’ perspectives on paediatric burns management at a tertiary hospital, Ghana, covering current practices, barriers, impacts on patients and families, and recommendations for improvement. Methodology: This study employed a qualitative research approach utilizing Focus Group Discussion (FGD) with 15 participants from various disciplines, including Plastic Surgery, Medicine, Anaesthetics, Physiotherapy, Occupational Therapy, Dietetics, Nursing, Pharmacy, Clinical Psychology, Public Health Nursing and. Laboratory Scientist. Participants were recruited through a convenience sampling technique. The discussion lasting approximately 90 min, were audio recorded, and facilitated by a discussion guide based on existing literature. The audio recordings were transcribed verbatim, and the transcripts were compared with handwritten notes for accuracy. The final transcribed data were coded and analyzed using thematic content analysis to identify recurring themes and patterns. Results: Findings revealed four primary themes: strengths of current practices (multidisciplinary approach, experienced practitioners), barriers (lack of formal protocols, infrastructure limitations, financial burdens), contextual factors influencing burn care (psychological trauma, inadequate support, socio-cultural beliefs and socioeconomic status), and recommendations for enhancing burns care (improved social welfare, facility upgrades, staff training and mental health support). Conclusion: While burns care has improved in Ghana, there are clear opportunities for improvement. A move towards more integrated care, the development of locally adapted protocols, better financial support, and enhanced caregiver education are essential next steps in elevating the quality of paediatric burn management in Ghana.http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2468912224000750Paediatric burnsHealthcare practitionersBurn management multidisciplinary team |
| spellingShingle | Alberta A. Rockson Natalie Benjamin-Damons Sonti Imogene Pilusa Healthcare Practitioners’ perspectives on paediatric burns management at Korle Bu Teaching Hospital, Ghana Burns Open Paediatric burns Healthcare practitioners Burn management multidisciplinary team |
| title | Healthcare Practitioners’ perspectives on paediatric burns management at Korle Bu Teaching Hospital, Ghana |
| title_full | Healthcare Practitioners’ perspectives on paediatric burns management at Korle Bu Teaching Hospital, Ghana |
| title_fullStr | Healthcare Practitioners’ perspectives on paediatric burns management at Korle Bu Teaching Hospital, Ghana |
| title_full_unstemmed | Healthcare Practitioners’ perspectives on paediatric burns management at Korle Bu Teaching Hospital, Ghana |
| title_short | Healthcare Practitioners’ perspectives on paediatric burns management at Korle Bu Teaching Hospital, Ghana |
| title_sort | healthcare practitioners perspectives on paediatric burns management at korle bu teaching hospital ghana |
| topic | Paediatric burns Healthcare practitioners Burn management multidisciplinary team |
| url | http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2468912224000750 |
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