Towards the Holistic Assessment of Scar Management Interventions

Mathers, Jonathan

doi:10.3390/ebj3010018

Cited by 3 publications

(2 citation statements)

References 28 publications

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“…Current methods in burns research, however, commonly assume equal importance of outcomes at a specific time for all stakeholders. 10 Measuring a certain outcome at a certain time might not, however, provide a true picture of patients’ recovery, and decisions about optimal treatment may, therefore, be ill informed. It is unclear how specific priorities differ across time as well as between patient and professionals as recovery from a burn injury progresses.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Consequently, the importance of outcomes may also vary. Current methods in burns research, however, commonly assume equal importance of outcomes at a specific time for all stakeholders 10. Measuring a certain outcome at a certain time might not, however, provide a true picture of patients’ recovery, and decisions about optimal treatment may, therefore, be ill informed.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Exploring what is important during burn recovery: a qualitative study investigating priorities of patients and healthcare professionals over time

et al. 2023

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ObjectivesThis qualitative study aimed to investigate: (1) priorities of patients and healthcare professionals during recovery from a burn injury, (2) how priorities change over time and (3) how priorities map to outcomes currently reported in burns research.DesignSemi-structured interviews were conducted. Interviews were audio recorded, transcribed and analysed thematically.Setting, participantsA total of 53 patients and healthcare professionals were recruited from four National Health Service (NHS) burn services across England and Wales across England and Wales. Patient participants (n=32) included adults, adolescents and parents of paediatric patients, with a variety of burn injuries in terms of severity and cause of burn injury. Healthcare professionals (n=21) were NHS staff members involved in burn care and included professionals with a range of clinical experience and roles (eg, nurses, surgeons, occupational therapists, physiotherapist, administration).ResultsTen themes relating to priorities (outcomes) during recovery from a burn injury were identified for patients and professionals. Of those, six were identified for patients and professionals (‘pain and discomfort’, ‘psychological well-being’, ‘healing’, ‘scarring’, ‘function’, ‘infection’), three were unique to professionals (‘patient knowledge, understanding and support’, ‘sense of control’, ’survival’) and one was unique to patients (‘uncertainty’). Results highlighted that importance of these priorities changes over time (eg, ‘survival’ was only a concern in the short term). Likewise, priorities differed between patients and professionals (eg, ‘pain’ was important to patients throughout their recovery, but not for professionals). Seven out of 10 themes overlapped with outcomes commonly assessed in burn research.ConclusionProfessionals’ and patients’ priorities (important outcomes) change over time after burn injury and differ between those groups. Burn care research should consider measuring outcomes at different time points during the recovery from a burn injury to accurately reflect complexity of burn recovery.

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Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Exploring what is important during burn recovery: a qualitative study investigating priorities of patients and healthcare professionals over time

et al. 2023

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Working Towards Holistic Scar Assessment and Improved Shared Decision Making in Global Burn Care

van de Warenburg,

Munk,

Davies

et al. 2023

Journal of Burn Care &Amp; Research

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Cutaneous burn scars impact various aspects of life. Scar treatment is mainly evaluated on scar characteristics. Consensus is needed on which other outcomes to capture, ensuring they are relevant to patients, clinicians and researchers. The aim of this study was to identify, discuss and analyze outcomes related to cutaneous burn scarring, incorporating the voice of patients and views of healthcare professionals. For this, a Delphi process consisting of two survey rounds and a consensus meeting was initiated. Burn scar-related outcomes were identified from an existing comprehensive list of 100 outcomes by an international panel of patients, healthcare professionals and researchers. Fifty-nine outcomes were identified from the Delphi process as related to scarring (≥60% votes). Outcomes less impactful in relation to scar outcomes included psychosocial issues, sense of normality, understanding of treatment, costs and systemic issues. To represent a holistic assessment of outcomes related to cutaneous burn scarring, this Delphi process established a battery of outcomes currently included in scar quality assessment tools, and an expanded set of less frequently considered outcomes. Future work in this area must include the patient voice from developing countries. This is essential to identify globally applicable outcomes related to scarring.

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Measurement Equivalence and Feasibility of the Electronic and Paper Versions of the POSAS, EQ-5D, and DLQI: A Randomized Crossover Trial

Meirte,

Hellemans,

Van Daele

et al. 2024

EBJ

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Patient-reported outcome measures (PROMs) are crucial within person-centered care. The use of electronic PROMs (ePROMs) is increasing and multiple advantages have been described. The Patient and Observer Scar Assessment Scale (POSAS) is a validated paper questionnaire to assess patient-reported scar quality in the burn and scar population. In burn and scar rehabilitation, quality of life questionnaires such as the Euroqol 5 Dimensions 5 level (EQ-5D-5L) and the Dermatology Life Quality Index (DLQI) allow us to measure physical and psychosocial impact. The goal of this research was to compare the equivalence of the electronic versions of the POSAS, the EQ-5D-5L, and the DLQI with their original paper counterparts. To ensure the psychometric properties of the electronic versions, we assessed the equivalence of scores, the differences in completion time, and patients’ preferred mode and ease of use. We used a randomized crossover design using a within-subject comparison of the formats of the questionnaires. Participants aged over 18 with a scar were recruited from an outpatient after-care and research center for burns and scars in Antwerp, Belgium. The equivalence of the electronic questionnaires POSAS, EQ-5D-5L, and DLQI is assumed based on the findings of this study. Completion times were faster for all the electronic versions but only statistically different (p = 0.002) for the electronic version of the EQ-5D-5L. The number of missing answers could be reduced to 0. The electronic assessment was preferred in >75% of the cases and subjects found it easy to use, and a tool that could improve the quality of care. Our findings support the electronic delivery of POSAS, EQ-5D, and DLQI, within the burn and scar population.

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Towards the Holistic Assessment of Scar Management Interventions

Cited by 3 publications

References 28 publications

Exploring what is important during burn recovery: a qualitative study investigating priorities of patients and healthcare professionals over time

Exploring what is important during burn recovery: a qualitative study investigating priorities of patients and healthcare professionals over time

Working Towards Holistic Scar Assessment and Improved Shared Decision Making in Global Burn Care

Measurement Equivalence and Feasibility of the Electronic and Paper Versions of the POSAS, EQ-5D, and DLQI: A Randomized Crossover Trial

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