A Comprehensive Tool to Support Family Physicians and Burn Survivors in the Provision of Long-term Burn Survivor Care

Healthcare professionals increasingly recognize major burn injuries as a chronic condition due to their persistent and long-term health implications. The increasing survival rates and longer lifespans of burn survivors (BS) require general practitioners (GPs) to meet their long-term, potentially complex care. This project investigated the perceived need for a knowledge translation (KT) tool, and the content required, to optimize long-term support for BS by making best practices resources more accessible to their GPs. This mixed-method study assessed the perceived needs of BS and the current GP practices regarding BS follow-up. Survey data were gathered from GPs and BS. Additionally, a focus group was held with expert burn care clinicians. The results were analyzed using descriptive quantitative and qualitative methods, and the findings were triangulated. The common themes revealed the need for information about holistic care for BS across their illness trajectory. Ninety-four percent of GPs reported a lack of confidence treating BS who wanted information regarding comorbidities, psychosocial support, and symptom management, particularly related to scars (79%-94%). BS reported symptoms which interfere with their daily activities (ie, scar-related [75%], pain [57.5%], stiffness [52.5%], weakness [55%], fatigue [65%], psychosocial [55%], and cognitive issues [35%]). The KT tool generation was based on the amalgamated findings. This study revealed a consensus among BS, GPs, and expert clinicians that there was a need for a learning resource for GPs to support their role in providing BS long-term follow-up care. The resulting KT tool will enable GPs to bridge their knowledge gaps through user-friendly links to BS-relevant resources.