REsource Support To Optimize REcovery (RESTORE) scoping review: Evaluating aftercare resources for burn survivors

Burn survivors report limited resources as they transition to their communities after initial hospitalization. The aim of this project is to review literature that identifies resources provided to burn survivors and their supporters after discharge to their communities.

The Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines were used to examine the following literature databases: PubMed, EMBASE, Web of Science, PsycInfo, and CINAHL. The World Health Organization (WHO) International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health (ICF) Core Set for burn injury provided a framework to categorize resource content.

Of the 637 articles screened, 27 met inclusion criteria. Data extraction identified resources categorized into the following ICF components: Body Functions, Activities and Participation, and Environmental Factors.

This review uses a conceptual framework to provide an overview of current published resources to support burn survivors following hospitalization. The identified resources addressed content such as health professionals, programs, psychological functioning after burn injury, scar management, and virtual resources. Based on the ICF framework, some gaps in resource content were noted such as pain, thermoregulation, interpersonal relationships, and self-care. Findings reveal relative strengths and gaps in resources, which can be used to better support burn survivors following hospitalization.