Rachel Kornhaber1, Greg Rickard2, Loyola McLean3,4,5,6, Rick Wiechula7,8, Violeta Lopez9, Michelle Cleary1. 1. a Faculty of Health, School of Health Sciences , University of Tasmania, Rozelle Campus , Sydney , Australia. 2. b Faculty of Health , University of Tasmania, Rozelle Campus , Sydney , Australia. 3. c Brain and Mind Centre, The University of Sydney , Sydney , Australia. 4. d Westmead Psychotherapy Program, Discipline of Psychiatry, Sydney Medical School , The University of Sydney , Sydney , Australia. 5. e Sydney West and Greater Southern Psychiatry Training Network, Cumberland Hospital, Western Sydney Local Health District , Sydney , Australia. 6. f Consultation-Liaison Psychiatry, Royal North Shore Hospital , Sydney , Australia. 7. g Adelaide Nursing School, The University of Adelaide , South Australia , Australia. 8. h Centre for Evidence-Based Practice South Australia: A Joanna Briggs Institute Centre of Excellence , Adelaide , Australia. 9. i Alice Lee Centre for Nursing Studies, National University of Singapore , Singapore.
Abstract
OBJECTIVE: To understand health professionals' perspectives of burn care and rehabilitation. DESIGN: Qualitative and semi-structured interviews. SETTING: Australian burn and rehabilitation units. PARTICIPANTS: Twenty-two clinicians working in burns units across disciplines and healthcare settings. RESULTS: The data portrayed the health professionals' perspectives of burn care and rehabilitation in Australia. Three themes were identified: (1) interprofessional collaboration; (2) integrated community care, and (3) empowering patients to self-care. CONCLUSION: Burn care and rehabilitation remains a complex and a challenging area of care with limited access to burn services especially in rural and remote areas. Interprofessional training and education of health professionals involved with the complex care of burn injury remains a key element to support and sustain the long-term rehabilitation requirements for patients and their families. Empowering patients to develop independence early in their rehabilitation is fundamental to their ongoing recovery. A burns model of care that embraces a multidisciplinary collaboration and integrated care across the continuum has the potential to positively impact recovery and improve health outcomes. Implications for rehabilitation Burn care and rehabilitation remains a complex and challenging area of care. Managing the rehabilitation phase after burn injury can be as complex as managing the acute phase. Interprofessional collaboration, integrated community care, and empowering patients to self-care are key elements for sustaining the rehabilitation of adults with burn injuries.
OBJECTIVE: To understand health professionals' perspectives of burn care and rehabilitation. DESIGN: Qualitative and semi-structured interviews. SETTING: Australian burn and rehabilitation units. PARTICIPANTS: Twenty-two clinicians working in burns units across disciplines and healthcare settings. RESULTS: The data portrayed the health professionals' perspectives of burn care and rehabilitation in Australia. Three themes were identified: (1) interprofessional collaboration; (2) integrated community care, and (3) empowering patients to self-care. CONCLUSION: Burn care and rehabilitation remains a complex and a challenging area of care with limited access to burn services especially in rural and remote areas. Interprofessional training and education of health professionals involved with the complex care of burn injury remains a key element to support and sustain the long-term rehabilitation requirements for patients and their families. Empowering patients to develop independence early in their rehabilitation is fundamental to their ongoing recovery. A burns model of care that embraces a multidisciplinary collaboration and integrated care across the continuum has the potential to positively impact recovery and improve health outcomes. Implications for rehabilitation Burn care and rehabilitation remains a complex and challenging area of care. Managing the rehabilitation phase after burn injury can be as complex as managing the acute phase. Interprofessional collaboration, integrated community care, and empowering patients to self-care are key elements for sustaining the rehabilitation of adults with burn injuries.
Entities:
Keywords:
Burns; health services; models of care; qualitative research; rehabilitation; telemedicine