WA study to address the long-term impact of burns

GPs are encouraged to refer their patients living burns injuries to a Fiona Wood Foundation study looking at ultra-long follow up after burns.

In WA, patient outcomes are generally only monitored during the first two years after injury, leaving limited evidence about how people are living five, 10 or even 30 years later.

Professor Fiona Wood and researchers from the Fiona Wood Foundation and the Burn Service of Western Australia are calling for 5000 West Australians to take part in a study examining long-term quality of life after a burn injury.

The Ultralong Follow-up After Burn study, or ULFAB, is looking for adults who experienced a burn injury and received treatment in WA from 1993 onwards to complete a short, confidential online survey.

Associate Professor Dale Edgar, senior research fellow with the Foundation, said GPs were invaluable partners in this study, helping to refer patients who may be willing to take part.

"GPs play a critical role in both the acute management and long-term care of people who have experienced burn injury," he said.

“By helping patients learn about the study, GPs can ensure that experiences from metropolitan, regional and remote communities help researchers better understand what life looks like after burn injury, across both physical and psychological health.”

Farmer Tim Haslam suffered burns to 38% of his body in a harvest fire.

Farmer Tim Haslam has completed survey. He sustained full-thickness burns to 38% of his body during a harvest fire in December 2023.

The fire started in Mr Haslam’s header and quickly spread. His vehicle became bogged down while he was attempting to respond and, after leaving it, he fell into the fire sustaining serious injuries to his hands and face.

He was treated by the Burn Service of WA at Fiona Stanley Hospital and said the specialist care he received was central to his survival.

“Without the enormous amount of research and advances in care that have gone into burns recovery, I certainly would not be living the life I am living, and there is a very good chance I would not have survived.

“For me, leaving the hospital was not the end of recovery. Returning to my family, farm and community has involved continuing physical and personal adjustment.

“By sharing my experience, I hope this research can improve understanding of recovery and help others whose lives have been touched by burn injury in the future.”

Professor Fiona Wood said recovery does not end when a person leaves hospital.

“A burn injury can continue to affect physical health, emotional wellbeing, confidence, independence, relationships, work and connection to community.

“This study gives people the opportunity to share what life is really like years later, so future care, services and research can respond to the whole person.”

To learn more and take part, visit: www.fionawoodfoundation.org.au