ABSTRACT
Burn injuries are often sudden, tragic and emotive. Such injuries result in pain and in many cases require surgery. In cases of severe burns injuries, involving large areas of the body, physical disfigurement, scarring and disability may result. Advanced surgical techniques and nursing care ensure that patients with large burns now have a better chance of survival. However, the future is uncertain and the patient may have many issues to confront in their long-term psychological adjustment. Psychological issues facing the burns patient involve reaction to acute pain, threat to survival, hospitalisation, medical and surgical procedures, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), depression, anxiety and stigmatisation.
