Innovative Approaches in Burn Psychiatry: Developing Integrated, Multidisciplinary Care focused on Whole Health of Patients with Burn Injuries

Thursday, November 7, 2024

4:40 PM – 5:50 PM EST

Location: Miami Lecture Hall

Lead Speaker(s)

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Sarah L. Laughon, MD

Associate Professor
The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, School of Medicine
Chapel Hill, North Carolina

Speaker(s)

Eric Golden, MD

Assistant Professor of Psychiatry
University of Pittsburgh Medical Center
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

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Adrienne D. Taylor, MD

Consultation-Liaison Psychiatry Fellowship Program Director
Brigham and Women's Hospital
Boston, Massachusetts
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Mladen Nisavic, MD

Attending Psychiatrist
Massachusetts General Hospital
Boston, Massachusetts

Abstract: Burn injury is a devastating event, resulting in significant changes to appearance, new functional limitations, chronic pain, and psychological consequences for survivors (1). Psychiatric hospitalizations, including admmissions post-suicide attempt and for co-ocurring substane use disorders, are 2-3 times more likely in burn survivors compared to age-matched controls, even up to 3 decades after the burn event (2). This general session, sponsored by the Burn and Trauma Injury SIG, will examine the importance of specialized and integrated psychiatric approaches for patients undergoing care at trauma and burn centers, including a discussion of various models of psychiatric consultation across the continuum of their care. Participants will engage through interactive polling as clinical case vignettes are presented to illustrate the learning objectives. Presenters will review successful programs that they have implemented and recommend strategies for participants to use in their own C-L psychiatry roles to enhance a holistic approach of care for burn patients, their families, and burn survivors.

Dr. Golden will review the evidence which outlines the need for an integrated approach to psychiatric care of burn patients, and how this approach can enhance patients’ outcomes after burn injury.

Dr. Taylor will discuss the benefits and challenges of developing a burn psychiatry liaison to the burn surgery and ICU teams, while still being part of the general inpatient consult service. Dr. Taylor will explore the role of a dedicated C-L psychiatrist for burn consults, including mobilizing support from multiple disciplines including peer support specialists, patient navigators, and community resources.

Dr. Laughon will share how liaison relationships with burn surgeons were fostered and how unique opportunities were identified and explored, leading to increased hiring of C-L faculty with subspecialized burn psychiatry roles. Through dedicated mentorship and innovative ideas, outside funding paved the way for the development of a specialized burn psychiatry program that has evolved over the last 10 years.

Dr. Nisavic will present the role of the C-L psychiatrist beyond the index admission, including integration of psychiatry during subacute recovery and rehabilitation, as well as longitudinal care of patients with burn injuries. Special emphasis will be placed on strategies to screen and manage acute stress disorder in post-injury settings, and on multidisciplinary collaboration often necessary to provide whole care for this complex patient population.
Learning Objectives:
Identify how innovative service models can be used to expand liaison relationships with burn and trauma teams.
Describe common psychiatric concerns faced by patients with acute burn injuries, and understand how these change through each part of the patient's recovery following the initial injury.
Recommend strategies for collaborating with diverse stakeholders in burn care and discuss the role of C-L psychiatrists in multidisciplinary team-based treatment across the whole continuum of burn treatment and recovery.