'Living Well' After Burn Injury: Using Case Reports to Illustrate Significant Contributions from the Burn Model System Research Program.

INTRODUCTION The Burn Model System (BMS) program of research has been funded since 1993 by the National Institute on Disability, Independent Living, and Rehabilitation Research (NIDILRR). The overarching aim of this program is to improve outcomes and quality of life for people with burns in the areas of health and function; employment; community living and participation. This review reports on BMS contributions that have impacted the lives of individuals with a significant burn injury using case reports to associate BMS contributions with recovery. METHODS In December 2019, current BMS grantee researchers assessed peer-reviewed BMS publications from 1994 to 2020 . Using case report methodology, contributions were linked to three individuals treated at one of four Burn Model System institutions. RESULTS With over 25 years of NIDILRR funding, unique BMS contributions to patient recovery were identified and categorized into one of several domains: Treatment, Assessment measures, Sequelae, Peer support, Employment, and Long-term functional outcomes. A second review for significant results of BMS research that add to the understanding of burn injury, pathophysiology and recovery research were identified and categorized as Injury and recovery research. The case study participants featured in this review identified select NIDRR/NIDILRR research contributions as having direct, personal benefit to their recovery. CONCLUSIONS The knowledge generation and clinical innovation that this research program has contributed to our collective understanding of recovery after burn injury is considerable. Using case study methodology with three adult burn survivors, we highlight the impact and individual significance of program findings and reinforce the recognition that the value of any clinical research must have relevance to the lives of the study population.