Search for Articles:
Title / Keyword
Author / Affiliation / Email
Journal
Article Type
 
 
Advanced Search
 
Section
Special Issue
Volume
Issue
Number
Page
 
1.7
1.2
Journals
EBJ
Special Issues
2nd Edition of Enhancing Psychosocial Burn Care
share announcement

2nd Edition of Enhancing Psychosocial Burn Care

A special issue of European Burn Journal (ISSN 2673-1991).

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 31 October 2026 | Viewed by 2460

Special Issue Editors

Dr. Anna Pittermann

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Department of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Vienna General Hospital, Medical University of Vienna, 1090 Vienna, Austria
Interests: clinical psychology; psychotherapy; psychosocial aspects of burns; family centered care; body image; mass casualty events; quality management
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals
Koen Maertens

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
1. OsCare, Organisation for Burns, Scar Aftercare & Research, 2170 Antwerp, Belgium
2. Department of Clinical and Lifespan Psychology, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, 1050 Brussels, Belgium
Interests: patient centered care; aftercare; scar treatment; burn care; clinical psychology; qualitative research; care pathways; patient reported outcome measures; patient involvement; fire safety; prevention

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

We are pleased to invite submissions for a Special Issue focused on Enhancing Psychosocial Burn Care. Burn injuries often result in profound psychosocial consequences that can impact survivors’ mental health, quality of life, social reintegration, and overall recovery. Survivors often face complex challenges that require comprehensive, compassionate, and evidence-based psychosocial care. This Special Issue aims to highlight innovative research, clinical practices, and interdisciplinary approaches that address the psychosocial needs of burn survivors across all stages of care.

We welcome research articles, reviews, case studies, and commentaries that relate to psychological interventions and therapies, social support systems, and family involvement, as well as long-term psychosocial outcomes and quality of life. Also, studies presenting findings related to cultural and contextual factors in psychosocial care, psychosocial care in burn rehabilitation, training and support for burn care professionals, and research on digital tools and technologies for psychosocial support are invited.

Dr. Anna Pittermann
Koen Maertens
Guest Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 250 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for assessment.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. European Burn Journal is an international peer-reviewed open access quarterly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 971 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

  • psychosocial burn care
  • psychological interventions
  • social reintegration
  • psychosocial outcomes
  • multidisciplinary care
  • cultural aspects of burn recovery
  • long-term follow-up
  • telepsychology/digital interventions
  • burn care professionals' mental health

Benefits of Publishing in a Special Issue

  • Ease of navigation: Grouping papers by topic helps scholars navigate broad scope journals more efficiently.
  • Greater discoverability: Special Issues support the reach and impact of scientific research. Articles in Special Issues are more discoverable and cited more frequently.
  • Expansion of research network: Special Issues facilitate connections among authors, fostering scientific collaborations.
  • External promotion: Articles in Special Issues are often promoted through the journal's social media, increasing their visibility.
  • Reprint: MDPI Books provides the opportunity to republish successful Special Issues in book format, both online and in print.

Further information on MDPI's Special Issue policies can be found here.

Related Special Issue

Published Papers (4 papers)

Download All Papers
Order results
Result details
Show export options expand_more Show export options expand_less
Select all
Export citation of selected articles as:

Research

15 pages, 823 KB  
Article
Recommendations on Sexuality and Intimacy After Burn Injuries
by Jill Meirte, Stefania Anna Simone, Sabrina Belemkasser and Jonathan Bayuo
Eur. Burn J. 2026, 7(2), 26; https://doi.org/10.3390/ebj7020026 - 12 May 2026
Viewed by 126
Abstract
Background: Burn injuries profoundly impact the survivors’ physical, psychological and social well-being, with sexuality, intimacy and body image remaining among the most disrupted yet least addressed areas of rehabilitation. Limited professional training, social discomfort, and a lack of clinical guidance contribute to these [...] Read more.
Background: Burn injuries profoundly impact the survivors’ physical, psychological and social well-being, with sexuality, intimacy and body image remaining among the most disrupted yet least addressed areas of rehabilitation. Limited professional training, social discomfort, and a lack of clinical guidance contribute to these unmet needs. Recognizing sexuality as an essential part of health, this interdisciplinary project developed evidence-informed recommendations and communication tools to support both burn survivors and healthcare professionals in discussing intimacy, sexuality, and body image after burn injury. Methods: An interdisciplinary expert group conducted a narrative literature review, supplemented with grey literature and lived experience resources. These insights informed two practical tools: a poster for healthcare professionals and burn centers, and a patient-focused brochure. Both underwent iterative refinement through multicultural feedback from patients and professionals across Europe, Asia and Africa, followed by final validation during an interdisciplinary workshop at the 2025 European Burns Association (EBA) Conference. Results: The literature indicated that burn injuries affect sexuality and body image through interacting physiological, psychological, sensory, relational, and sociocultural factors. Common challenges included reduced desire, anxiety, fear of rejection, altered self-perception, and discomfort initiating conversations about intimacy. Professionals reported limited training, insufficient privacy and cultural barriers. Conclusions: The developed tools and these recommendations aim to normalize dialog, support proactive screening, and promote culturally sensitive patient-centered burn rehabilitation. Embedding sexuality and intimacy within burn care requires ongoing professional training and the identification of dedicated resource persons within each team. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue 2nd Edition of Enhancing Psychosocial Burn Care)
►▼ Show Figures

Figure 1

13 pages, 525 KB  
Article
Validity and Reliability of the Fatigue Severity Scale in an Adult Swedish Burn Population
by Sara Enblom and Fredrik Huss
Eur. Burn J. 2026, 7(1), 14; https://doi.org/10.3390/ebj7010014 - 2 Mar 2026
Viewed by 615
Abstract
Background: A burn injury is a complex trauma often followed by complications, one of which is fatigue. The objective of this study was to validate the Fatigue Severity Scale (FSS) in an adult Swedish burn cohort. Methods: A prospective cohort study [...] Read more.
Background: A burn injury is a complex trauma often followed by complications, one of which is fatigue. The objective of this study was to validate the Fatigue Severity Scale (FSS) in an adult Swedish burn cohort. Methods: A prospective cohort study was performed at the Burn Center at Uppsala University Hospital in Uppsala, Sweden. All patients who were registered for follow-up 6 months after their burn injury were asked to participate. Included patients completed questionnaires at 6 and 12 months postburn. Psychometric properties were investigated, including internal consistency (Cronbach’s alpha) and concurrent validity, comparing FSS with the Brief Fatigue Inventory (BFI), which was considered to be the “gold standard.” Convergent validity was investigated among the fatigue assessments and quality of life, depression/anxiety, and daily activities. Results: In total, 70 included patients attended both visits. FSS demonstrated high internal consistency (Cronbach’s alpha: 0.96 at both timepoints). There was high concurrent validity between FSS and BFI on both occasions (Spearman’s rho: 0.816 and 0.863, respectively), and the convergent validity was strong. Conclusions: The result indicates that the two fatigue scales correspond well to each other and that the FSS, therefore, is a valid and reliable assessment of fatigue in adult Swedish burn patients. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue 2nd Edition of Enhancing Psychosocial Burn Care)
►▼ Show Figures

Figure 1

13 pages, 440 KB  
Article
How Patients Seek and Value Online Scar-Related Information: A Qualitative Study
by Koen Maertens, Nancy Van Loey, Peter Moortgat and Jill Meirte
Eur. Burn J. 2026, 7(1), 9; https://doi.org/10.3390/ebj7010009 - 6 Feb 2026
Viewed by 656
Abstract
Background: Pathological scarring (PS) following surgical procedures, burns, or trauma poses significant clinical, psychological, and socio-economic challenges. Despite the high prevalence of PS, reliable information resources are limited, often leading individuals to depend on unvalidated online sources. To address this gap, we developed [...] Read more.
Background: Pathological scarring (PS) following surgical procedures, burns, or trauma poses significant clinical, psychological, and socio-economic challenges. Despite the high prevalence of PS, reliable information resources are limited, often leading individuals to depend on unvalidated online sources. To address this gap, we developed MyScarSpecialist.com, an evidence-based website providing comprehensive information on scar types, characteristics, and treatment options. This study aimed to optimize the website through co-creation with patients and clinicians. Methods: Semi-structured focus group meetings were conducted with patients and carers; sessions were recorded, transcribed, and analyzed using thematic analysis. Results: From the 3 focus group meetings with 15 patients with scars and 3 carers, four key themes emerged: (1) Information Sources: The Role of Professionals, Peers, and Digital Media in information sharing; (2) Desired information: From scar typing to treatment outcomes to psychosocial impact; (3) Website design: Audience preferences on content layering, information load, and image positioning; (4) Readability: Optimizing content for comprehension. Participants highlighted the need for enhanced peer support and resources addressing the psychological impact of scarring. Conclusions: These findings provide comprehensive insights for optimizing medical educational websites, ensuring inclusivity, accessibility, and empowerment for patients through co-designed strategies. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue 2nd Edition of Enhancing Psychosocial Burn Care)
►▼ Show Figures

Graphical abstract

12 pages, 260 KB  
Article
Factors That Impact Psychosocial Recovery 12 Months After Non-Severe Pediatric Burn in Western Australia
by Amira Allahham, Dinithi Atapattu, Victoria Shoesmith, Fiona M. Wood and Lisa J. Martin
Eur. Burn J. 2026, 7(1), 5; https://doi.org/10.3390/ebj7010005 - 19 Jan 2026
Viewed by 523
Abstract
Background: A childhood burn presents new and unfamiliar challenges to patients and their parents during recovery. These injuries can negatively impact activities such as independence in self-care, participation in physical activity, and social interaction. As such, pediatric burn patients are at risk [...] Read more.
Background: A childhood burn presents new and unfamiliar challenges to patients and their parents during recovery. These injuries can negatively impact activities such as independence in self-care, participation in physical activity, and social interaction. As such, pediatric burn patients are at risk of poorer quality of life (QoL) outcomes after their burn. In this longitudinal, observational cohort study, we examined the social, demographic, and clinical factors that were associated with a poor QoL at 12 months postburn for pediatric patients aged > 2 years with non-severe burns in Western Australia. Methods: Inpatients were recruited from the pediatric burn unit at Perth Children’s Hospital in Western Australia between February 2021 and September 2022. Demographic and family information (age, sex, postcode, parental education, languages spoken at home) and clinical data (burn cause, TBSA%, location, surgical interventions, length of stay) were collected at baseline. At 6 and 12 months, caregivers completed the Brisbane Burn Scar Impact Profile (BBSIP). Results: A total of 37 caregivers completed the Brisbane Burn Scar Impact Profile (BBSIP). For the child’s QoL, 57% of caregivers reported that some impact remained for overall QoL, 32% for sensory intensity, 46% for sensitivity, 22% for daily living (22%), and 19% for emotional reactions. Parent worry was impacted in 46% of caregivers. Being female was associated with greater long-term impacts, particularly in overall functioning and parental worry. The burn location also influenced outcomes, with injuries to the upper limbs linked to higher sensory intensity and emotional impact. Children from culturally and linguistically diverse (CaLD) backgrounds, indicated by those speaking a language other than English at home (LOTE), demonstrated significantly greater effects across several domains, including overall impact, daily living, appearance, and parent worry. Conclusions: A substantial proportion of children continued to experience impacts from non-severe burns across multiple domains, indicating that even small-area burns can have lasting effects. The factors associated with worse scores were the child being female, the families being linguistically diverse, and upper body burns. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue 2nd Edition of Enhancing Psychosocial Burn Care)
Show export options expand_more Show export options expand_less
Select all
Export citation of selected articles as:
 
Displaying articles 1-4
Back to TopTop