Global Experts Prioritize Research Directions to Improve Burn Treatment Across 88 Countries

Every year, over 11 million individuals worldwide suffer from severe, life-altering burns, impacting both adults and children. Addressing this significant global health challenge, the University of Bristol-led initiative—the Priorities in Global Burns Research partnership—has identified the top 10 research priorities in burns care through a comprehensive survey involving participants from 88 countries. The findings, published recently in The Lancet Global Health, aim to guide future research efforts to enhance patient outcomes and survivor quality of life.

This extensive project aimed to fill critical knowledge gaps in burns treatment by engaging survivors, their families, caregivers, and healthcare professionals from diverse settings. Researchers collected insights from more than 1,600 respondents across six continents via surveys and workshops to agree on the most urgent unanswered questions in global burns care.

Key differences emerged between high- and low-income nations, especially regarding stigma, affordability, and long-term recovery. Notably, psychological effects—such as trauma, depression, and anxiety—were consistently identified as major challenges faced by burn survivors worldwide.

The project honors the memory of Professor Amber Young, a passionate advocate for improved burn care, who contributed significantly before her passing in 2022. Her colleagues, including Jane Blazeby and Hollie Richards, emphasized the importance of converting these identified priorities into actionable research to address disparities and improve clinical outcomes.

The top research questions focus on optimal acute treatments, psychological support, scar prevention, pain management, stigma reduction, healthcare professional training, cost-effective wound care options, and long-term support strategies, especially in resource-limited settings. Addressing these areas holds the potential to transform burn care globally and ensure equitable access to effective treatments.

This initiative highlights the critical need for high-quality, targeted research to bridge existing gaps, improve standards of care, and elevate the quality of life for burn survivors across the world.