Citation

McLean L, Chen R, Kwiet J, Streimer J, Vandervord J, Kornhaber R. Australas. Psychiatry 2017; 25(4): 348-350.

Affiliation

Lecturer in Nursing, Rozelle Campus, University of Tasmania, Hobart, TAS, Australia.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2017, Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Psychiatrists, Publisher SAGE Publishing)

DOI

10.1177/1039856217700285

PMID

28372459

Abstract

OBJECTIVES: Burn injuries are complex traumatic events carrying high risks of acute physical and psychosocial morbidity. With greater survival, clinical and research attention has turned to psychosocial recovery outcomes and risk factors. It is timely to summarise current issues in post-traumatic disorders after burn injury for mental health and integrative care clinicians. Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a common outcome of severe burn injury. There are difficulties in delivering current best practice treatments to many survivors especially those in rural and remote areas and those with comorbidities. Vicarious traumatization of clinicians, families and carers requires attention and internationally there are moves to psychosocial screening and outcome tracking.

CONCLUSIONS: The role of the multidisciplinary treatment, integrated and trauma-informed care is essential. While level 1 evidence for PTSD treatments theoretically applies, adaptations that consider comorbidities and treatment contexts are often essential with further research required.

Language: en

Keywords

post-traumatic growth; post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD); psychosocial treatments; resilience; severe burn injury