For immediate release: What research needs to be prioritized in global burns – results from a project spanning 88 countries

Each year, more than 11 million people worldwide suffer serious life-changing burns, affecting both adults and children.  The largest-ever project of its kind — the Priorities in Global Burns Research partnership, led by the University of Bristol — has identified the top 10 priorities in burns care research from 88 countries. The findings are published today [23 April] in The Lancet Global Health. 

Burn survivors often experience lifelong disabilities, post-traumatic stress disorder, depression, anxiety, and pain. This new project, funded by the National Institute of Health and Care Research (NIHR) and facilitated by the James Lind Alliance, aimed to identify knowledge gaps in burns care that are most important to survivors, carers and healthcare professionals in order to guide future research and treatment improvements worldwide. 

Researchers from Bristol Medical School surveyed over 1,600 people, spanning 6 continents, on their experiences of burns care and treatment. Participants in the study, comprising survivors, their families, carers and healthcare professionals, were asked to complete a survey and take part in workshops to agree the top 10 most important unanswered research questions in global burns care.

The project revealed some differences between high- and low-income countries, particularly in the areas of stigma, cost-effective treatments, and long-term care. However, the survey found psychological effects were one of the most challenging aspects for all burns survivors, regardless of where they lived. 

The project is part of the late Professor Amber Young's NIHR Advanced Fellowship. Professor Young,  was based at the Bristol Centre for Surgical Research, and NIHR Bristol Biomedical Research Centre (NIHR Bristol BRC) and was a Consultant Paediatric Anaesthetist at University Hospitals Bristol and Weston NHS Foundation Trust (UHBW), who dedicated her work to improving burns care for patients all over the world. Amber very sadly passed away in September 2022, after living with Stage 4 cancer for a number of years.

Jane Blazeby, Amber's friend, colleague and Professor of Surgery at Bristol Medical School: Population Health Sciences (PHS), who has continued the project, said: “This project is very much Amber’s legacy, which has created a lasting impact of offering hope to improve treatment for burn patients and improved quality of life for burns survivors – a testament to Amber’s determination, kindness and tenacity.” 

Hollie Richards, a Senior Research Associate at NIHR Bristol BRC, who worked with Amber for a number of years and co-ordinated the Priorities in Global Burbs Research partnership, added:  “It’s been a privilege to collaborate with this community of burns clinicians and survivors, and I’m honoured to have completed this work for Amber. The top ten priorities represent the experiences and views of hundreds of people all over the world, and demonstrate the extent to which research needs to address the disparities, inequities and gaps in care to improve outcomes for burn survivors.”

Suzannah Kinsella at the James Lind Alliance, added: “Despite the severity of burns, high-quality research in burn care is lacking, leading to disparities in treatment and care standards. The next step is for researchers and clinicians to translate these priorities into actionable studies to enhance global burn care.”

The Priorities in Global Burns Research Partnership is a collaboration between the University of Bristol and James Lind Alliance, and funded by the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR). 

For more information about the project, please visit: www.burnsresearch.bristol.ac.uk/

Paper
‘Top ten research priorities in global burns care: findings from the James Lind Alliance Global Burns Research Priority Setting Partnership’ by H Richards et al. in The Lancet Global Health.

Further information

Top 10 Global Burn Research Priorities

1.    What are the best acute treatments in early burns management for improving patient outcomes, and for reducing and treating complications?
2.    What are the best ways to identify, measure and treat the psychological impact of burn injuries and treatments for survivors and carers?
3.    What are the best ways to prevent, assess and treat burns scars and their complications (e.g. contractures)?
4.    What are the best ways to understand and reduce pain and anxiety from burn injuries and treatments, including during burn dressing changes, to improve care and support for survivors and carers?
5.    How can the stigma of burns scarring be better understood and reduced in different cultural, ethnic and social settings?
6.    What are the best ways to improve the education and training of health care professionals, and all those involved in burns care, to improve treatments and outcomes?
7.    What are the best and most cost-effective burn wound dressings and treatments to improve patient experiences, wound healing, and outcomes, and reduce complications?
8.    What are the best ways to provide effective burns treatment and support survivors and carers in resource limited settings?
9.    What are the most cost-effective burns treatments that improve patient outcomes, for example in resource limited settings where financial cost is a barrier to treatment?
10.    After initial treatment and rehabilitation, what are the best long-term treatments or types of support for improved outcomes and quality of life in survivors and carers?