Enablers and barriers to participation in physical activity programs while hospitalised after burn injury: the patient perspective

Anita Plaza¹, Julie Adsett¹, Brooke Mulliss¹, Andrea McKittrick², Allison Hill³, Prue McRae⁴, Alison Mudge⁴,
¹Physiotherapy Department, RBWH, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
²Occupational Therapy Department, RBWH, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
³Nursing, RBWH, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
⁴Internal Medicine Research Unit, RBWH, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia

Abstract

Aim: To identify enablers and barriers to participation in physical activity whilst hospitalised after burn injury from the patient perspective.

Design: Qualitative descriptive study design.

Method: Purposive sampling was used to recruit adults with burn injuries admitted to the Professor Stuart Pegg Adult Burn Centre between February and July 2022. Semi-structured interviews were conducted by a research assistant not involved in clinical care, audio-recorded and transcribed verbatim. All de-identified transcripts were analysed using an inductive thematic approach and were organised into major themes and subthemes.

Results: Twenty participants (18 males) were included with a mean age of 47 years and mean burn size of 13.8% total body surface area. Factors which influenced patients’ ability to participate in physical activity were summarised into five major themes: 1) patient factors; 2) burn injury factors; 3) staff support; 4) family support; and 5) peer support. Pain, anxiety about causing further pain or harm, and beliefs regarding the need for rest to achieve wound healing were identified as significant barriers to physical activity performance. Family support and compassionate, supportive care from staff were highly valued enablers.

Conclusion: This is the first study to describe the patient experience of physical activity participation after burn injury. Recognising and understanding the patient perspective is integral to developing appropriate solutions to promote increased activity.

Biography

Anita Plaza is a Consultant Physiotherapist at the Professor Stuart Pegg Adult Burn Centre, Royal Brisbane and Women’s Hospital, Queensland. She has greater than 25 years of clinical experience working with both adults and children who have sustained burn injuries. Her current clinical research interests have included telehealth exercise prescription, physical activity level mapping and understanding reasons for adherence to physiotherapy programs after burn injuries, ultimately with the aim of improving outcomes for all patients with burn injuries.