Burns : journal of the International Society for Burn Injuries
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Custom-made transparent facial orthoses (TFOs) (face masks) are used to improve facial burn scars. We conducted a systematic literature review on TFO manufacture and use. ⋯ Although TFOs play an important global role in burn care, there is a grave paucity of research. Further research is needed to promote the standardization of TFO-related practices and thereby improve the outcomes of facial-burn patients.
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Patient-reported outcome measures (PROMs) are now well-established tools to evaluate the quality of patient-centred care. Due to the multi-faceted and multi-disciplinary nature of the practice of burn care, as well as the range of significant potential sequelae, PROM's should form a fundamental component of burn quality improvement programs. We aim to 1. Explore biological, psychological, and social considerations that are currently listed in burn-specific PROM tools, as well as their efficacy, 2. Evaluate biological, psychological, and social factors that are considered in new burn-specific PROM tools or those under development, and 3. Identify any opportunities with respect to burn-specific PROM tools, in order to inform future investigation in this area. ⋯ Major burn injuries are a unique form of trauma, requiring coordinated management that considers numerous factors not relevant to other patient populations. Further research is necessary to validate existing burn-specific PROM tools and to develop more comprehensive burn-specific PROM measures that more comprehensively incorporate the bio-psycho-social model of health.