Alleviating Distress in Pediatric Burn Patients Through Psychosocial Risk Assessment and Transition Improvement Processes

This retrospective study aims to valuate the efforts of implementing a validated pediatric psychosocial risk screening tool with pediatric patients admitted to the burn unit. Outcome interventions included providing targeted psychosocial interventions of a child life specialist during inpatient stay, with the objective of assessing emotional outcomes during the transition to outpatient care. This study analyzes the adaptive and maladaptive behaviors recorded in Certified Child Life Specialist (CCLS) documentation to calculate a weighted score for interpretation of pediatric patients' behavior at outpatient follow-up. Results before and after the implementation of the Psychosocial Risk Assessment in Pediatrics (PRAP) tool to identify and subsequently provide a multidisciplinary support plan to the moderate-high-risk patients were compared. Utilization of the Psychosocial Risk Assessment in Pediatrics tool at a large burn center identified inpatient burn patients ages 3-17 years who were at moderate risk or high risk for increased psychosocial distress. Subsequent Certified Child Life Specialist psychosocial interventions did not yield significant results; however, the use of thethis screening tool for pediatric patients in the inpatient setting predicted weighted scores measured at the outpatient appointment. The benefits of screening by the Psychosocial Risk Assessment in Pediatrics and Certified Child Life Specialist intervention warrant further investigation on long-term benefits of such interventions on reducing adverse psychological outcomes in pediatric burn patients.