TY - JOUR
T1 - The role of burn camp in the recovery of young people from burn injury
T2 - A qualitative study using long-term follow-up interviews with parents and participants
AU - Neill, James T
AU - Goch, Ian
AU - Sullivan, Arron
AU - Simons, Megan
N1 - Funding Information:
This work was supported by the University of Canberra Australian Capital Territory and PCYC Bornhoffen, Queensland, Australia. Camp Oz was supported by the Children's Hospital Foundation Brisbane, Australia (grant number 10420).
Funding Information:
This work was supported by the University of Canberra Australian Capital Territory and PCYC Bornhoffen, Queensland, Australia . Camp Oz was supported by the Children’s Hospital Foundation Brisbane, Australia (grant number 10420 ).
Publisher Copyright:
© 2021
PY - 2022/8
Y1 - 2022/8
N2 - BACKGROUND: Children and adolescents recovering from burn injury are at heightened risk of psychosocial problems. An integrative form of psychosocial intervention is burn camp. However, evidence about burn camp effectiveness is equivocal.OBJECTIVES: This study examined the role of therapeutic camp experiences in the recovery journeys of children and adolescents who had experienced burn injury and been treated in a tertiary pediatric hospital in Brisbane, Australia.METHODS: Retrospective semi-structured interviews were conducted with youths and parents. Inductive reflexive thematic analysis was used with pooled interview data.RESULTS: The participants were eight youths who attended at least one burns camp (between 2009 and 2019) and 15 parents of youth campers. An overwhelming majority (96%) reported a positive experience of camp, that they would return, and that they recommended the camp to other youth with burns. The four strengths of the camp experience were fun, adventurous activities; social relatedness (friendships, socializing); camp setting and experience; and acceptance. The four impacts of the camp on youth campers were normalizing ("I'm not the only one", shared experience); social support (making new friendships, social confidence, mentoring others); psychological recovery (happier, mentally stronger, more resilient, independence building); and confidence (increased self-confidence, increased social confidence, leadership development).CONCLUSIONS: Although this is the first known research about burn camp in Australia, the findings are similar to a handful of other qualitative studies about burn camp experiences and impacts. Recommendations include future research on aspects of camp experiences that contribute to targeted outcomes, the role of staff and previous camp participants as mentors, and comparisons with other psychosocial interventions for youth burn survivors.
AB - BACKGROUND: Children and adolescents recovering from burn injury are at heightened risk of psychosocial problems. An integrative form of psychosocial intervention is burn camp. However, evidence about burn camp effectiveness is equivocal.OBJECTIVES: This study examined the role of therapeutic camp experiences in the recovery journeys of children and adolescents who had experienced burn injury and been treated in a tertiary pediatric hospital in Brisbane, Australia.METHODS: Retrospective semi-structured interviews were conducted with youths and parents. Inductive reflexive thematic analysis was used with pooled interview data.RESULTS: The participants were eight youths who attended at least one burns camp (between 2009 and 2019) and 15 parents of youth campers. An overwhelming majority (96%) reported a positive experience of camp, that they would return, and that they recommended the camp to other youth with burns. The four strengths of the camp experience were fun, adventurous activities; social relatedness (friendships, socializing); camp setting and experience; and acceptance. The four impacts of the camp on youth campers were normalizing ("I'm not the only one", shared experience); social support (making new friendships, social confidence, mentoring others); psychological recovery (happier, mentally stronger, more resilient, independence building); and confidence (increased self-confidence, increased social confidence, leadership development).CONCLUSIONS: Although this is the first known research about burn camp in Australia, the findings are similar to a handful of other qualitative studies about burn camp experiences and impacts. Recommendations include future research on aspects of camp experiences that contribute to targeted outcomes, the role of staff and previous camp participants as mentors, and comparisons with other psychosocial interventions for youth burn survivors.
KW - Burns
KW - Camping
KW - Child
KW - Emotional adjustment
KW - Self concept
KW - Social adjustment
UR - https://www.scopus.com/pages/publications/85116363896
U2 - 10.1016/j.burns.2021.09.020
DO - 10.1016/j.burns.2021.09.020
M3 - Article
C2 - 34607728
SN - 1879-1409
VL - 48
SP - 1139
EP - 1148
JO - Burns
JF - Burns
IS - 5
ER -