Optimising the efficiency and value of burn care research
Theme Surgical and orthopaedic innovation
Workstream Innovative translational research methods
Status: This project is complete
Burns affect 11 million people globally. They can lead to long-term disability and be associated with substantial healthcare costs.
There is currently limited funding for research that could provide healthcare professionals with evidence to support the decisions they make when working with burns victims.
Project aims
The aim of this project, the Priorities in Global Burns Research project, is to agree the top ten research priorities for global burns care according to patients, carers and clinicians from around the world.
This project was started by the late Professor Amber Young, through the NIHR Advanced Fellowship grant she was successfully awarded in 2021/22. Bristol BRC’s Professor Jane Blazeby and Mrs Hollie Richards are continuing this work on behalf of their late colleague.
What we did
We surveyed over 1,600 people, spanning 6 continents, on their experiences of burns care and treatment. Participants in the study, comprising survivors, their families, carers and healthcare professionals, were asked to complete a survey and take part in workshops to agree the top 10 most important unanswered research questions in global burns care.
What we found and what this means
We identified the top 10 priorities in burns care research from 88 countries:
- Early burns management
- Psychological impact
- Scar treatment
- Pain and anxiety
- Stigma
- Burns education
- Reducing complications
- Resource-limited settings
- Cost-effective treatment
- Long-term treatment
The project revealed some differences in research priorities between high and low-income countries, particularly in the areas of stigma, cost-effective treatments, and long-term care. However, the survey found psychological effects were one of the most challenging aspects for all burns survivors, regardless of where they lived. This emerged as a subject needing more research to improve outcomes.
What next?
Now we have identified knowledge gaps in burns care research, we hope this will guide future research and treatment improvements worldwide.
Partners
James Lind Alliance and multiple international organisations and charities including:
