Understanding burn injuries in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children: protocol for a prospective cohort study

Authors

Rebecca Q. Ivers, University of Sydney, Flinders UniversityFollow
Kate Hunter, University of Sydney
Kathleen F. Clapham, University of WollongongFollow
Julieann Coombes, University of Sydney
Sarah Fraser, Flinders University
Serigne Lo, University of Sydney
Belinda Gabbe, Monash University
Delia Hendrie, Curtin University
David Read, Royal Darwin Hospital
Roy Kimble, University of Queensland
Anthony Sparnon, Women’s and Children’s Hospital, Adelaide
Kellie Stockton, University of Queensland
Renee Simpson, Royal Darwin Hospital
Linda Quinn, Women’s and Children’s Hospital, Adelaide
Kurt Towers, Northern And Central Adelaide Local Health Networks
Tom Potokar, Welsh Centre For Burns & Plastic Surgery
Tamara Mackean, Flinders University
Julian Grant, Flinders University
Ronan A. Lyons, Swansea University
Lindsey Jones, University of Sydney
Sandra Eades, Baker IDI Heart and Diabetes Institute
John Daniels, University of WollongongFollow
Andrew J A Holland, University of Sydney, The Children’s Hospital at Westmead

RIS ID

103232

Publication Details

R. Q. Ivers, K. Hunter, K. Clapham, J. Coombes, S. Fraser, S. Lo, B. Gabbe, D. Hendrie, D. Read, R. Kimble, A. Sparnon, K. Stockton, R. Simpson, L. Quinn, K. Towers, T. Potokar, T. Mackean, J. Grant, R. A. Lyons, L. Jones, S. Eades, J. Daniels & A. J A. Holland, "Understanding burn injuries in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children: protocol for a prospective cohort study", BMJ Open 5 (2015) 009826-1-009826-7.

Abstract

Introduction: Although Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children in Australia have higher risk of burns compared with non-Aboriginal children, their access to burn care, particularly postdischarge care, is poorly understood, including the impact of care on functional outcomes. The objective of this study is to describe the burden of burns, access to care and functional outcomes in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children in Australia, and develop appropriate models of care. Methods and analysis: All Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children aged under 16 years of age (and their families) presenting with a burn to a tertiary paediatric burn unit in 4 Australian States (New South Wales (NSW), Queensland, Northern Territory (NT), South Australia (SA)) will be invited to participate. Participants and carers will complete a baseline questionnaire; followups will be completed at 3, 6, 12 and 24 months. Data collected will include sociodemographic information; out of pocket costs; functional outcome; and measures of pain, itch and scarring. Health-related quality of life will be measured using the PedsQL, and impact of injury using the family impact scale. Clinical data and treatment will also be recorded. Around 225 participants will be recruited allowing complete data on around 130 children. Qualitative data collected by in-depth interviews with families, healthcare providers and policymakers will explore the impact of burn injury and outcomes on family life, needs of patients and barriers to healthcare; interviews with families will be conducted by experienced Aboriginal research staff using Indigenous methodologies. Health systems mapping will describe the provision of care.