UNIVERSITY OF CALGARY
Patient Experience Living with Split Thickness Skin Grafts
by
Lindsay Nicole Burnett
A THESIS
SUBMITTED TO THE FACULTY OF GRADUATE STUDIES IN PARTIAL FULFILMENT OF THE REQUIREMENTS FOR THE DEGREE OF MASTER OF NURSING
FACULTY OF NURSING CALGARY, ALBERTA AUGUST 2013
© Lindsay Nicole Burnett 2013
Abstract
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.
Keywords: Split Thickness Skin Graft, Scars, Patient Experience, Quality of life
