Ms Rhianydd Thomas1,2, Dr Marita Dale3, Ms Madeleine Jacques1, Ms Stephanie Wicks1, Mrs Claire Toose1, Dr Verity Pacey2
1Children’s Hospital At Westmead, Sydney, Australia, 2Macquarie University , Sydney, Australia, 3University of Sydney, Sydney , Australia
Abstract:
Aim
The aim of this study was to describe the parent experience and burden of an intensive splinting intervention in young children following a palmar burn.
Methods
Thirteen parents of children aged less than five years at burn (mean age 21 months [SD2] were interviewed 9-18 months following their child’s burn injury (mean 12 months [SD 2]). All children were treated with a palm and digit extension splint following a palmar burn with range of motion assessed throughout treatment. Interviews were semi-structured with open-ended questions. They were conducted one-to-one by a research team member not involved in the child’s care. Parents were asked to describe the impact of the intervention on the everyday life of their child, themselves, and their families. Interviews were recorded and transcribed verbatim. Thematic analysis was completed by two researchers with consensus achieved through discussion and presented to a third reviewer for agreement.
Results
Children used the splint intensively (>12-24 hours/day) for mean 189 days (SD 87) with all splinting ceased by mean 296 days (SD 69). All children had full palmar range of movement at scar maturation. Thematic analysis revealed two main themes: the impact of splinting is greater on parents than children and parents perceive outcomes to be more important than burden.
Conclusion
Intensive splinting impacts parent more than child with the burden of care perceived manageable in the context of overall outcomes.
Biography:
Rhi is a physiotherapist who works in the Burns Unit at the Children’s Hospital at Westmead. She completed a Master of Research in 2018 and commenced a PhD in 2019 focusing on the role of early and intensive splinting to prevent contracture following palm burn injury in young children