Skip to main content

Research Repository

Advanced Search

Adjusting to burn injury: What do we know?

Rumsey, Nichola

Authors



Abstract

The UK’s National Burn Care Review (NBCR, 2005) concluded that there was “consistent and incontrovertible evidence” that burn injuries can result in considerable psychosocial distress throughout the patient journey, and that support and interventions should be available as a matter of routine. The need for interventions for the families of burn survivors has also been highlighted by Phillips (2005) and others. But what interventions should be provided? Systematic reviews of published research in relation to interventions for adults and young people concluded that there was insufficient good quality evidence from which to draw definitive conclusions. However, both reviews noted that approaches based on cognitive behavioural techniques, i.e, those working directly to influence thoughts and behaviour, and on the social skills of survivors, held promise. Negative body image and social discomfort are common in burn survivors and those with other forms of visible difference, and positive self-perceptions and effective social functioning are key to positive psychological adjustment. Hence researchers at the UK Centre for Appearance Research (CAR) are currently developing a range of interventions for adults and young people that focus, in particular, on the personal and social challenges posed by an appearance which is different from the norm. These interventions vary in intensity, depending on the recipient’s level of distress. They are designed to be delivered either face to face by a therapist with appropriate training, or in the case of Face It (for adults) and YP Face It (for young people), self-administered online. Examples from these interventions will be provided, and their potential in the South African context explored with delegates.

Citation

Rumsey, N. (2011, November). Adjusting to burn injury: What do we know?. Presented at Annual Conference of the South African Burn Society, Cape Town, South Africa

Presentation Conference Type Keynote
Conference Name Annual Conference of the South African Burn Society
Conference Location Cape Town, South Africa
Start Date Nov 10, 2011
End Date Nov 12, 2011
Publication Date Nov 1, 2011
Peer Reviewed Not Peer Reviewed
Keywords burns
Public URL https://uwe-repository.worktribe.com/output/958163
Additional Information Title of Conference or Conference Proceedings : Annual Conference of the South African Burn Society