321 Perceived Value of Knowledge Translation Intervention Designed to Facilitate Burn Survivors’ Work Reintegration

• Published in: Journal of burn care & research 2019-03, Vol.40 (Supplement_1), p.S138-S138
• Main Authors: Calva, V, Seto, V, Lamble, M, Ye, Z, Couture, C, De Oliveira, A, Poulin, C, Couture, M, LaSalle, L, Marois-Page, E, Nedelec, B
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• ISSN: 1559-047X; 1559-0488
• DOI: 10.1093/jbcr/irz013.234

Abstract Introduction Returning to work can be a substantial challenge for burn survivors. Approximately 28% never return to any form of employment, resulting in lower health-related quality of life. In other conditions, open communication has been identified as a facilitator for return to work (RTW). A knowledge translation (KT) intervention in the form of an educational video was developed for adult burn survivors to facilitate their RTW and promote communication with co-workers and employers. Following its implementation, the impact on the RTW process needed to be evaluated, thus a mixed methods, cross-sectional study was performed. Methods Burn survivors included in the KT intervention were recruited and compared to a control group (CG). The CG included burn survivors who were admitted prior to the development of the educational video or who did not have an opportunity to review the video due to the timing of their transfer to another facility or rapid discharge. The CG were selectively invited to participate so that the two groups’ mean age, gender and percent total body surface area burned were similar. Semi-structured interviews were conducted to gather information about their RTW process and outcomes. Qualitative data was analyzed through thematic analysis and quantitative data was summarized and compared using Mann-Whitney tests. Results Overall, both groups were satisfied with their RTW process. Participants from the CG identified more barriers related to support received, particularly at work. More participants from the CG also indicated psychological symptoms and social challenges such as post-traumatic stress disorder, self-consciousness and discomfort with questions as a barrier to RTW. Many participants from the KT group indicated that the video gave them tools to explain and provide others with a better understanding of their lived experience. Conclusions It is possible that the video facilitated more open communication by empowering burn survivors to explain their situation on their own, thus reducing the prevalence of social and psychological barriers among the KT group by allowing them to self-advocate for more support. Applicability of Research to Practice The video should continue to be used, however, it should be expanded to provide additional information about RTW facilitators such as progressive RTW, flexible schedules, and task modifications or accommodations.