Using Photo-Elicitation to Explore Families' Experiences of Burn Camp.

A qualitative study using photo-elicitation was conducted to investigate the experiences of family members attending a residential burn camp. Six families were provided with cameras and asked to take photographs of their time at camp. They were subsequently interviewed about their experiences of camp, using their photographs as prompts. Thematic analysis of interview transcripts identified three main themes: benefits for the family as a whole (new activities and experiences and lasting impacts), benefits for the child (having fun without feeling different), and benefits for the parent/carer (support from those who understand). This is the first study to specifically investigate the experience of the whole family at a burn camp and suggests that attendance may offer a number of benefits for parents/carers and children. Photo-elicitation was an effective method for encouraging participants to recall and discuss their time at camp, and should be considered in future burns research.

Gender-related differences in systemic sclerosis.

Systemic sclerosis (SSc) is a complex autoimmune connective tissue disease which is characterised by autoimmunity, widespread tissue fibrosis of the skin and internal organs, and vasculopathic alterations. SSc is more common in women but has a more severe expression of disease including internal organ-based complications and higher mortality in men. The extant literature shows that although important pathophysiological sex differences are present in SSc, behavioural differences (e.g. higher smoking rates in men) and occupational exposures may contribute to poorer outcomes in men with SSc. The higher death male death rate in the general population and greater prevalence of lung fibrosis are likely the key factors responsible for excess mortality found in men. Other important factors include (but are not limited to) a greater prevalence of the disease subset, delayed time to diagnosis, and higher disease activity in early disease in men. SSc carries a significant burden of disease-related morbidity; however, no qualitative studies to date have focussed on gender differences in SSc. The purpose of this review is to provide a comprehensive overview of gender differences in SSc including (but not limited to) epidemiology, pathophysiology, clinical expression of disease, mortality, SSc in transgender individuals, and psychosocial aspects of disease.

An evaluation of the impact of a burn camp on children and young people's concerns about social situations, satisfaction with appearance and behaviour.

INTRODUCTION: This evaluation aimed to assess the impact of a burn camp on children and young people's concerns about social situations, satisfaction with appearance and behaviour. METHODS: Young people completed the Perceived Stigmatisation Questionnaire (PSQ), Social Comfort Questionnaire (SCQ) and Satisfaction with Appearance Scale (SWAP) one month before camp (n=23), on the last day of camp (n=21) and at a three-month follow-up (n=13). Parents completed the Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire (SDQ) one month before camp (n = 22) and at follow-up (n=12). Parents and young people also completed open-ended questions before camp and at the follow-up. RESULTS: Results in this evaluation were mixed. While parents' reported scores on the SDQ were poorer after camp, young people's reported outcomes on all three measures improved at the end of camp. PSQ and SWAP scores were maintained and improved, respectively, at the follow-up. Qualitative responses were generally consistent with these scores. Significant improvements were found between the scores before camp and at the three-month follow-up for both the SWAP and PSQ. These results indicate that the burn camp may help to improve young people's satisfaction with their appearance and concerns about social situations. However, there was no comparison group and there was a significant loss of participants at follow-up. CONCLUSION: Burn camps may therefore offer a range of psychosocial benefits to young people with burn injuries. This was the first evaluation to demonstrate a positive impact of a burn camp on satisfaction with appearance and concerns about social situations using outcome measures validated with the burns population.