Setting families up for the future: How health professionals support children using non-invasive burn scar treatments and their caregivers


Jessica Killey1, Megan Simons1,2, Roy Kimble1, Zephanie Tyack1,3,
1Centre for Children’s Burns and Trauma Research, The University Of Queensland, South Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
2Occupational Therapy Department, Queensland Children’s Hospital, Children’s Health Queensland Hospital and Health Service, South Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
3Australian Centre for Health Services Innovation and Centre for Healthcare Transformation, School of Public Health and Social Work, Queensland University of Technology, Kelvin Grove, Queensland, Australia

Abstract

Background: Health professionals within a multidisciplinary team play an important role in recommending treatments aimed at optimising children’s long-term outcomes and health-related quality of life after a burn injury. However, limited research has previously explored how health professionals support children using treatments during the burn scar rehabilitation phase. Hence, the aim of this study was to develop a grounded theory of how health professionals support children with burns and their caregivers using non-invasive burn scar treatments (e.g., pressure garments, silicone gels, splints, exercises and moisturisers).

Methods: A constructivist grounded theory approach was used to interview 13 health professionals working within a burns centre at a large quaternary children’s hospital. Initial coding, focussed coding and the development of theoretical categories occurred. Theoretical sampling and constant comparative analysis methods were used, involving concurrent data collection and analysis until theoretical saturation was achieved.

Results: A grounded theory of health professionals ‘setting families up for the future’ was developed. This theory was comprised of two theoretical categories, ‘supporting information sharing’ and ‘keeping the bigger picture in mind’. Health professionals endeavoured to facilitate open communication between themselves and children and caregivers. Health professionals considered children’s potential long-term outcomes as well as the daily practicalities of treatments and therefore individualised the treatments they provided.

Discussion: These findings provide insights into the processes used by health professionals when supporting children and caregivers using non-invasive burn scar treatments and may help to inform future research priorities and clinical recommendations for health professionals.

Biography

Jessica Killey is an occupational therapist with experience working with adults with burn injuries during both the acute hospital and rehabilitation phases. She has recently submitted her PhD which utilised grounded theory methodology to explore how children with burns, and their caregivers, engage with non-invasive burn scar treatments and to better understand how health professionals can support children and families to engage with these treatments.