Using online blogs to explore positive outcomes after burn injuries

Garbett, Kirsty; Harcourt, Diana; Buchanan, Heather

Abstract

© 2016, © The Author(s) 2016. This study uses blog analysis, a new and novel technique, to explore the positive outcomes experienced by burn survivors. This study examined 10 burn survivor blogs to offer a unique, longitudinal insight into burn survivor recovery. Using thematic analysis, three themes emerged: shift in self-perception, enhanced relationships and a change in life outlook. Many of these themes contained stories and experiences unique to a traumatic burn injury, suggesting that standardised trauma scales are not effectively measuring the impact of a burn in this population. Reflections on blog analysis are discussed, along with a recommendation that health researchers utilise the vast amount of data available from online blogs.

• Journal Article Type: Article
• Acceptance Date: Feb 17, 2016
• Online Publication Date: Mar 27, 2016
• Publication Date: Nov 1, 2017
• Deposit Date: Oct 13, 2017
• Publicly Available Date: Oct 13, 2017
• Journal: Journal of Health Psychology
• Print ISSN: 1359-1053
• Publisher: SAGE Publications
• Peer Reviewed: Peer Reviewed
• Volume: 22
• Issue: 13
• Pages: 1755-1766
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.1177/1359105316638549
• Keywords: burns, blog, visible difference
• Public URL: https://uwe-repository.worktribe.com/output/878927
• Publisher URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.1177/1359105316638549
• Additional Information: Additional Information : This is the author's accepted manuscript. The final version is available at http://dx.doi.org/10.1177/1359105316638549.
• Contract Date: Oct 13, 2017