Social workers as members of burn care teams: A qualitative thematic analysis

Impacts of Financial Assistance on Quality of Life Among People Living With Burn Injury: Matched Cohort Analysis of the National Institute on Disability, Independent Living and Rehabilitation Research Burn Model System Database

Disparities in socioeconomic status and minority status affect the risk of burn injury and the severity of that injury, thus affecting the subsequent cost of care. We aimed to characterize the demographic details surrounding receipt of financial assistance due to burn injury and its relationship with health-related quality of life scores. Participants ≥18 from Burn Model System National Longitudinal Database (BMS) with complete demographic data were included (n = 4330). Nonresponders to financial assistance questions were analyzed separately. The remaining sample (n = 1255) was divided into participants who received financial assistance because of burn injury, those who received no financial assistance, and those who received financial assistance before injury and as a result of injury. A demographic and injury-characteristic comparison was conducted. Health-related quality of life metrics (Satisfaction with Life, Short Form-12/Veterans RAND 12-Item Health Survey, Community Integration Questionnaire Social Component, and the Post-Traumatic Growth Inventory) were analyzed preinjury, then 6-months, 1-year, and 2-years postinjury. A matched cohort analysis compared these scores. When compared to their no financial assistance counterparts, participants receiving financial assistance due to burns were more likely to be minorities (19% vs 14%), have more severe injuries (%TBSA burn 21% vs 10%), and receive workers' compensation (24% vs 9%). They also had lower health-related quality of life scores on all metrics except the post-traumatic growth inventory. Financial assistance may aid in combating disparities in posttraumatic growth scores for participants at the greatest risk of financial toxicity but does not improve other health-related quality of life metrics.

Identifying and Assisting Burn Patients and Their Families With Needs Through Administration of an Assessment Tool on Admission

Using a modified Safe Environment for Every Kid Questionnaire (Needs Survey), we previously showed a significant correlation between adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) and family needs. Herein, we retrospectively assessed whether patients' and their families' needs identified using the Needs Survey were addressed prior to discharge. We hypothesized that, without the knowledge gained by administering this tool, many basic needs may not have been fully addressed. Seventy-nine burn patients and families previously enrolled in our ACE studies were included. Answers to the Needs Surveys were reviewed to identify families with needs. Medical records were reviewed to determine if a social worker assessment (SWA) was completed per standard of care and if their needs were addressed prior to discharge. Of the 79 burn patients who received inpatient care and completed the Needs Survey, family needs were identified in 67 (84.8%); 42 (62.7%) received an SWA, and 25 (37.3%) did not. Those who did not receive a SWA had a shorter hospitalization and suffered less severe burns. Demographics, socioeconomics, ACEs, and identified needs were similar between the groups. Our study showed that SWA was performed on many patients with basic needs. However, with the focus of SWAs being on discharge arrangements, not all needs were addressed, and individualized resources were often not provided. Administering the Needs Survey on admission may help our social workers streamline and expedite this process to help support successful recovery for our burn patients and their families.