A randomized controlled trial of an educational programme with telephone reinforcement to improve perceived health status of Brazilian burn victims at 6-month post discharge.

Aim: The aim of this study was to compare health status, self-efficacy, symptoms of depression and anxiety and post-traumatic stress between two groups of burn victims receiving information on self-care through routine care or an educational programme with telephone reinforcement.

Background: Self-care post discharge is an important factor on quality of life of burn victims. Reinforcement of self-care programme via telephone follow-up might improve self-efficacy and general health perception in burn victims.

Design: Randomized, controlled clinical trial.

Method: From 2011-2012, we randomized 108 burn victims either to an educational programme on self-care tailored for burn victims according to the cognitive social theory and reinforcement by telephone every 4-6 weeks for 6 months post discharge, or to the routine instructions given at discharge from the hospital. During hospitalization, at discharge, at 6 and 12 months post discharge, we collected data on socio-demographic characteristics, Burns Specific Health Scale Revised (BSHS-R), Perceived Self-Efficacy Scale (PSE), Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scales (HADS) and Impact of the Event Scale (IES). We analysed data using t-test, Chi-square test and linear regression models.

Results: Groups were similar regarding clinical and demographic characteristics, except for age. At 6-month follow-up, there were no differences between the groups on BSHS-R, PSE and HADS Depression, while the intervention group showed fewer symptoms of anxiety (HADS Anxiety) and lower IES scores than the control group.

Conclusion: The educational programme, when compared with usual care, reduced anxiety symptoms and post-traumatic stress. Educational programmes with telephone follow-up might be a viable intervention to improve self-care for burn victims.