Burn survivors injured as children exhibit resilience in long-term community integration outcomes: A life impact burn recovery evaluation (LIBRE) study

The Perceived Informational Needs of Family Caregivers of Children Hospitalized in a Burn Department: A Cross-sectional Study

Children are most vulnerable to burn injuries, and their families are their most important source of support. Therefore, it is necessary to identify the information needs of such parents and support them to help children adapt to the new situation, recover to pre-accident conditions, and reintegrate into school and society. This study aimed to investigate the perceived information needs of family caregivers of children admitted to the burn wards of hospitals. This cross-sectional study was conducted on 200 family caregivers of children admitted to the burn ward of a hospital in Tabriz, Iran. Participants were selected through convenience sampling, and the required data were collected by using questionnaires on socio-demographic information, information needs, information resources, and information acquisition methods. The obtained data were analyzed statistically using descriptive statistics (mean, standard deviation, frequency, and percentage) and inferential statistics (Mann-Whitney, Kruskal-Wallis, and Spearman correlation tests). Results indicated that the greatest informational need among family caregivers was related to the child's condition. The treatment team was identified as the most important source of information for them. It was found that information should be provided in a comprehensive and understandable manner, while maintaining honesty and human dignity. The study findings contribute to our understanding of the specific information needs of family caregivers in managing the medical care of children with burns. These findings can serve as a basis for interventions and support services aimed at meeting the needs of these families and improving the quality of care for children with burns.

Predictors of mortality following electrical and lightning injuries in Malawi: A decade of experience

INTRODUCTION

Electrical injuries can be devastating, and data is lacking in low-resource settings. We aimed to identify predictors of mortality following electrical and lightning injuries (ELI) in Malawi.

METHODS

We performed a retrospective observational study of patients presenting with ELI and burn injuries at a tertiary hospital in Malawi from 2011 to 2020. Outcomes were compared and predictors of mortality were modeled.

RESULTS

A total of 382 ELI and 6371 burn patients were included. The mean ages for ELI and burn groups were 24 ± 14 and 11 ± 14 years, respectively (p < 0.01). Most patients were injured at home (91% in the burn group versus 51% in the ELI group, p < 0.01). The crude mortality rate in the ELI group was 28%, compared to 12% in the burn group (p < 0.01). On multivariate logistic regression, predictors of mortality included ELI (odds ratio [OR] 13.3, 95% confidence interval [CI] 7.2-24.5) and total body surface area burned (OR 1.1, 95% CI 1.1-1.1). Predicted mortality for ELI has increased over time (p = 0.05).

CONCLUSIONS

ELI confers more than 13 times higher odds of mortality than burn injuries in Malawi, with mortality risk increasing over time. More efforts are needed to prevent electrical hazards and implement timely interventions for patients with ELI.

Examining the association between military service history and outcomes after burn injury

INTRODUCTION

The association between military service history and long-term outcomes after burn injury is unknown. This study uses data from the Burn Model System National Database to compare outcomes of individuals with and without self-reported military service history.

METHODS

Outcome measures were assessed at 12 months after injury including the Veterans Rand-12 Item Health Survey/Short Form-12, Satisfaction With Life Scale, Patient Reported Outcomes Measure Information System 29, 4-D Itch scale, Post Traumatic Stress Disorder Check List - Civilian Version, self-reported Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, and employment status. This study included 675 people with burns of whom 108 reported a history of military service.

RESULTS

The military service history group was more likely to be older, and male. Those with military service were most likely to be on Medicare insurance and those without military service history were most likely to be on Private Insurance/HMP/PPO. No significant differences were found between those with and without military service history in the outcome measures.

CONCLUSIONS

Further research should examine differences in outcomes between civilians and those with military service history, including elements of resilience and post traumatic growth.

Perceived stigma in burn survivors: Associations with resourcefulness and alexithymia

OBJECTIVE

Burn survivors often have severe scarring and distorted body image, and they are commonly given new perceptions and even receive a variety of negative labels from individuals, families and society. This study aimed to explore the association between stigma, resourcefulness and alexithymia, and identifies whether resourcefulness in burn survivors is mediating the relationship between resourcefulness and alexithymia.

METHOD

This correlational study was conducted from December 2021 to July 2022 in a comprehensive tertiary Grade A hospital in Ningxia, China. A convenience sample of 159 burn survivors was recruited. Data were collected using demographics, Social Impact Scale(SIC),Toronto Alexithymia Scale, and Resourcefulness Scale (RS). Descriptive analysis, Hierarchical Regression analysis, Pearson Correlation analysis, and Mediation analysis were used for data analysis.

RESULTS

Finally, a data set of 148 responses was determined for analysis. The effective rate was 95.9%. We found significant correlation between stigma, resourcefulness and alexithymia. Sociodemographic characteristics (gender, spouse states), clinical characteristics (body surface burned area, scar areas), resourcefulness and alexithymia of burn survivors were significant predictors of stigma among burn survivors. The mediating effect of resourcefulness between stigma and alexithymia in burns survivors accounted for 36.03% of the total effect.

CONCLUSION

Resourcefulness partially mediates the relationship between stigma and alexithymia. These findings suggest medical staff should strengthen the management of the mental health of burn survivors and eliminate the negative cognition and tendency of burn survivors by regularly promoting stigma counseling measures based on cognitive behavioral therapy. Based on the resourcefulness theory, psychological counseling and intervention are carried out in various ways to fully mobilize their internal factors for positive emotional regulation and enhance the ability of individuals to cope with adversity. In addition, an attempt was made to establish an "anti-stigma coalition" or "peer support group" for burn survivors to provide networked information support and emotional support to facilitate further the smooth return of patients to their families and society.

Adolescents with and without head and neck burns: comparison of long-term outcomes in the burn model system national database

INTRODUCTION

Facial burns account for persistent differences in psychosocial functioning in adult burn survivors. Although adolescent burn survivors experience myriad chronic sequelae, little is known about the effect of facial injuries. This study examines differences in long-term outcomes with and without head and neck involvement.

METHODS

Data collected for 392 burn survivors between 14-17.9 years of age from the Burn Model System National Database (2006-2015) were analyzed. Comparisons were made between two groups based on presence of a head and neck burn (H&N) using the following patient reported outcome measures: Satisfaction with Appearance Scale, Satisfaction with Life Scale, Community Integration Questionnaire, and Short Form-12 Health Survey at 6, 12, and 24 months after injury. Regression analyses were used to assess association between outcome measures and H&N group at 12-months.

RESULTS

The H&N group had more extensive burns, had longer hospital stays, were more likely to be burned by fire/flame and were more likely to be Hispanic compared to the non-H&N group. Regression analysis found that H&N burn status was associated with worse SWAP scores. No significant associations were found between H&N burn status and other outcome measures.

CONCLUSIONS

Adolescents with H&N burn status showed significantly worse satisfaction with appearance at 12-months after injury. Future research should examine interventions to help improve body image and coping for adolescent burn survivors with head and neck burns.

The Impact of Peer Support Group Programs on Psychosocial Outcomes for Burn Survivors and Caregivers: A Review of the Literature

Peer support group programs are often recommended for burn survivors as a way to facilitate their psychosocial recovery and reintegration into the community. Such programs provide opportunities for burn patients and their caretakers to access emotional and informational support from healthcare providers and other survivors in inpatient or outpatient settings. Despite their popularity, however, there is little information currently available on the efficacy of these groups. In response, we reviewed the existing literature on peer support group programs and their impacts on psychosocial outcomes for burn survivors and their caregivers. A systematic review of the literature utilizing PubMed, PsycINFO, and Medline databases was conducted for articles published between 1990 and 2018. Twenty-five articles including inpatient, outpatient, integrative peer support groups, and burn camps met our inclusion criteria. All inpatient peer support group program articles (n = 4) reported associations with psychosocial improvements. Integrative peer support group program articles (n = 2) reported associations with social integration and reduction in post-traumatic stress and anxiety. All outpatient peer support group program articles (n = 8) demonstrated associations with psychosocial outcomes involving life satisfaction, acceptance of self, and reduced levels of isolation. Findings were less consistent for burn camps: eight articles suggested improvements in psychological outcomes while three articles reported no significant psychosocial effects. Although these results are encouraging, further study is indicated both to replicate these findings, and to determine the optimal implementation of inpatient and outpatient peer support programs.

Burn survivors' perception of recovery after injury: A Northwest Regional Burn Model System investigation

INTRODUCTION

Previous reports suggest that many factors impact recovery from burn injury. To improve our understanding of these factors, we queried adult burn survivors using a mixed method design during the first year after injury.

METHODS

An anonymous, 2-page survey was developed and administered to adult burn survivors during routine outpatient clinic follow-up visits at a regional burn center. Participants rated issues of concern and their impacts on return to pre-burn activity levels. Both quantitative and qualitative data were obtained. Descriptive statistics were used to analyze quantitative data and thematic analysis was used to identify, analyze and report patterns from open-ended responses.

RESULTS

Over seven months in 2016, 187 patients completed the anonymous survey. Study participants were predominantly male, white, and non-Hispanic. Participants who had not yet returned to pre-burn function reported worse outcomes for all issues queried compared to those who had. Burn survivors from racial and ethnic minority groups reported greater difficulty with accessing medical care and information about their injury as well as higher levels of self-identified posttraumatic stress, issues related to appearance and concerns for loss of strength. Several themes and sub-themes were identified that had both negative and positive impact on early recovery. Such themes included: healing process, psychological recovery and emotional health, and community reintegration/employment.

CONCLUSIONS

Several themes from responses provided insight into challenges as well as key support systems during the first year of recovery after injury. Collectively, these findings can be used to direct clinical outpatient care, patient education and psychosocial support services.

A longitudinal study on psychological reactions and resilience among young survivors of a burn disaster in Taiwan 2015-2018

Aim

To investigate the long‐term psychological reactions and resilient process of the young survivors after a large‐scale burn disaster of the Formosa Color Dust Explosion in Taiwan.

Design

Longitudinal study with follow‐up interviews using standardized questionnaire during November 2015–June 2018.

Methods

The burn survivors received structured assessment in the four‐wave interviews including the five‐item Brief Symptom Rating Scale, nine‐item Concise Mental Health Checklist, and two‐item Patient Health Questionnaire for depressive symptoms and suicide risk assessment. Post‐traumatic psychological symptoms were assessed through the four‐item Startle, Physiological Arousal, Anger, and Numbness Scale, and six‐item Impact of Event Scale.

Findings

The response rates were 65.1%, 74.2%, 76.9%, and 78.5% across the four‐wave interviews among 484 burn survivors. The participants were mean‐aged 23.1 years with just over half having 40% or more burn wounds in total body surface area. The respondents at each wave were similar in gender, age, and per cent of total body surface area burned. In the first 2 years of recovery, the respondents showed resilience in coping with stress of trauma under family and social support. While there was a decreasing trend of psychological symptoms over the first 2 years, hypnotic use and alcohol consumption remained at about 10% in the final interview, which were accompanied by psychological symptom recurrence.

Conclusion

Young burn survivors recovered both psychologically and physically under supportive care and personal resilience in 2 years after the burn event, yet post‐traumatic mental distress and coping efforts after 2 years during community reintegration should be detected and managed. Early prevention and detection of mental health deterioration is needed even after 2 years of burn disasters.

Impact

The study demonstrated post‐burn longitudinal changes on psychological reactions. Nursing staffs may help young burn survivors identify mental distress and stress management needs in the long‐term psychological adaptation process.