Background Scar assessment plays a key role during burns aftercare, to monitor scar remodelling and patients’ psychosocial well-being. To aid assessment, subjective scar assessment scales are available that use health-care professionals’ and patients’ opinions to score scar characteristics. The subjective scales are more widely used in clinical practice over objective scar measures. To date, there is no research that considers patients’ views on scar assessment and the role of subjective and objective assessment tools. Therefore, the aim of this qualitative study was to explore patients’ perspectives on scar assessment and the utility of scar assessment tools during burns rehabilitation. Methods Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 10 adult burn patients who were being reviewed in clinic for scarring. Participants were recruited via their clinical care team and research nurses at the Queen Elizabeth Hospital, Birmingham, UK. Topics covered during interview included patient experience of scar assessment, the use of scar assessment tools and discussion surrounding important factors to be addressed when assessing scars. A thematic analysis using the Framework Method was conducted. Results Participants identified key subthemes that contribute towards the overarching theme of patient-centred scar assessment. These are: patient-led care; continuity in care; learning how to self-manage scarring; and psychological assessment. Links were demonstrated between these subthemes and the remaining themes that describe scar assessment strategies, indicating their potential patient-centred contributions. The subjective opinions of clinicians were found to be valued above the use of subjective or objective scar assessment tools. Scar assessment scales were perceived to be a beneficial method for self-reflection in relation to psychosocial functioning. However, minimal feedback and review of completed assessment scales led to uncertainty regarding their purpose. Patients perceived objective tools to be of primary use for health-care professionals, though the measures may aid patients’ understanding of scar properties. Conclusions Scar assessment tools should be used to support, rather than replace, health-care professionals’ subjective judgements of scarring. Adapting the way in which clinicians introduce and use scar assessment tools, according to patient needs, can support a patient-centred approach to scar assessment.

中文翻译：

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烧伤康复过程中疤痕评估的患者体验和疤痕评估工具的使用：一项定性研究

背景 疤痕评估在烧伤后护理过程中起着关键作用，以监测疤痕重塑和患者的社会心理健康。为了帮助评估，可以使用主观疤痕评估量表，该量表使用医疗保健专业人员和患者的意见来对疤痕特征进行评分。主观量表在临床实践中比客观疤痕测量更广泛地使用。迄今为止，还没有研究考虑患者对疤痕评估的看法以及主观和客观评估工具的作用。因此，这项定性研究的目的是探讨患者对疤痕评估的看法以及烧伤康复过程中疤痕评估工具的效用。方法 对 10 名成人烧伤患者进行半结构化访谈，这些患者正在临床接受瘢痕检查。参与者是通过他们在英国伯明翰伊丽莎白女王医院的临床护理团队和研究护士招募的。采访中涉及的主题包括患者对疤痕评估的体验、疤痕评估工具的使用以及围绕评估疤痕时要解决的重要因素的讨论。使用框架方法进行了专题分析。结果 参与者确定了有助于以患者为中心的疤痕评估的总体主题的关键子主题。它们是：以患者为主导的护理；护理的连续性；学习如何自我管理疤痕；和心理评估。这些子主题与描述疤痕评估策略的其余主题之间的联系得到了证明，表明了它们以患者为中心的潜在贡献。发现临床医生的主观意见比使用主观或客观疤痕评估工具更有价值。疤痕评估量表被认为是一种与心理社会功能相关的自我反思的有益方法。然而，对已完成评估量表的最少反馈和审查导致对其目的的不确定性。患者认为客观工具是卫生保健专业人员的主要用途，尽管这些措施可能有助于患者了解疤痕特性。结论 应该使用疤痕评估工具来支持而不是替代医疗保健专业人员对疤痕形成的主观判断。根据患者需求调整临床医生引入和使用疤痕评估工具的方式，可以支持以患者为中心的疤痕评估方法。