Patient Experience Living with Split Thickness Skin Grafts

There is a lack of research exploring the experiences of those living with split thickness skin grafts (STSG). The qualitative methodology of interpretive description (Thorne, 2008) was employed. The process included a single patient interview, coding, describing, and interpreting the data. Participants were selected through purposive sampling and data was collected through in-depth, semi-structured interviews. Data was coded into themes for analysis. Eight male patients and four female patients 20-62 years old ranging 2-29 months post STSG were interviewed. The most significant concerns voiced by patients were identified and organized into five themes: a new normal, split thickness skin graft symptoms, appearance of new skin, coping, and preference to participate in future clinical trials. Patients discussed problems associated with their STSG; these concerns were significant enough to motivate them to participate in future clinical trials using human stem cells.

Name thesis:degree_name

Master of Nursing (MN)

Discipline thesis:degree_discipline

Nursing

Grantor dc:publisher.institution

Graduate Studies

Year dc:date.issued

2013

Author dc:creator

• Burnett, Lindsay Nicole

Advisors dc:contributor.advisor

• Carr, Eloise
• Gabriel, Vince

• Nursing

Statement dc:rights

• University of Calgary graduate students retain copyright ownership and moral rights for their thesis. You may use this material in any way that is permitted by the Copyright Act or through licensing that has been assigned to the document. For uses that are not allowable under copyright legislation or licensing, you are required to seek permission.

Language dc:language.iso

eng

DOI

http://dx.doi.org/10.11575/PRISM/27272

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:ucalgary.scholaris.ca:11023/882