Citation

Won P, Bello MS, Stoycos SA, Carrera BT, Kurakazu DM, Briere JN, Garner WL, Gillenwater J, Yenikomshian HA. J. Burn Care Res. 2021; ePub(ePub): ePub.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2021, American Burn Association, Publisher Lippincott Williams and Wilkins)

DOI

10.1093/jbcr/irab042

PMID

unavailable

Abstract

Peer support group programs are often recommended for burn survivors as a way to facilitate their psychosocial recovery and reintegration into the community. Such programs provide opportunities for burn patients and their caretakers to access emotional and informational support from healthcare providers and other survivors in inpatient or outpatient settings. Despite their popularity, however, there is little information currently available on the efficacy of these groups. In response, we reviewed the existing literature on peer support group programs and their impacts on psychosocial outcomes for burn survivors and their caregivers. A systematic review of the literature utilizing PubMed, PsycINFO, and Medline databases was conducted for articles published between 1990 and 2018. Twenty-five articles including inpatient, outpatient, integrative peer support groups, and burn camps met our inclusion criteria. All inpatient peer support group program articles (n = 4) reported associations with psychosocial improvements. Integrative peer support group program articles (n = 2) reported associations with social integration and reduction in post-traumatic stress and anxiety. All outpatient peer support group program articles (n = 8) demonstrated associations with psychosocial outcomes involving life satisfaction, acceptance of self, and reduced levels of isolation.

FINDINGS were less consistent for burn camps: 8 articles suggested improvements in psychological outcomes while 3 articles reported no significant psychosocial effects. Although these results are encouraging, further study is indicated both to replicate these findings, and to determine the optimal implementation of inpatient and outpatient peer support programs.

Language: en

Keywords

Inpatient; burn camp; burn survivor peer support group; outpatient; psychosocial outcomes