Burns : journal of the International Society for Burn Injuries
-
Compression garments are a widely used intervention for the management of hypertrophic scar and recent research demonstrates the varied experiences of patients wearing compression garments. However, the patient and therapist perspective on how to improve the experience of wearing compression garments remains unexplored. ⋯ The reported patient and therapist perspectives highlight the need for further research into service improvement to enhance the patient experience of wearing compression garments after burns.
-
Compression garments are widely used for the management of hypertrophic scars, however, the patient experience of wearing compression garments remains minimally explored. ⋯ The results highlighted a variety of influences that affected the individual experience of garment wear, highlighting the need for a patient centred approach by burn service providers.
-
This study aimed to provide insight into the patterns and factors that predict burn scar outcomes at 3, 6 and 12 months after burn. ⋯ The POSAS patient total and individual item scores demonstrated a statistically significant improvement in the scar quality in the first 12 months after burn, except for the relief. Sex, age, depth of the wound, the percentage of TBSA and flame burns were predictors of various POSAS patient items at 3, 6 and 12 months after burn.
-
Research into recovery and adjustment after burn injury has indicated a link between psychopathological symptoms including traumatic stress, distress, depression and anxiety, and worse psychosocial and physical outcomes. The severity of psychological symptoms does not always correlate with that of the burn injury, and symptoms can be ongoing in certain patients for extensive periods, leading to a need for early screening in burns patients for psychological vulnerabilities. One potential factor influencing recovery from the psychological impact of burn injury is adult attachment style, specifically secure and insecure attachment, as this describes how an individual organizes their stress regulation. ⋯ Secure participants scored significantly lower scores on the DASS (M = 17.63, SD = 17.07) compared to self-rated insecure participants [(M = 42.38, SD = 34.69), p < .01] and on the DTS (M = 14.22, SD = 15.42) compared to insecure participants [(M = 40.54, SD = 35.72), p < .01]. Similar results were found in analyses controlling for covariates of gender, age and burn severity as potential confounders. This research suggests attachment style may play an important role in psychosocial recovery from severe burn injury.
-
A history of psychiatric disorders is more common among patients who have had burns than in the general population. To try and find out the scale of the problem we have assessed self-reported symptoms of anxiety and depression after a burn. ⋯ Seen as a group, people who have had burns report anxiety and depression the same range as a reference group. Some patients, however, express more anxiety and depression, and concomitantly poorer HRQoL. These patients should be identified, and offered additional support.