Burn patients have to overcome both painful physical and emotional scars. These scars can be especially devastating for young burn victims. A doctoral candidate and faculty member in the Department of Psychology at West Virginia University are working to help young patients deal with the pain of those scars on both levels.
Graduate student Janelle Mentrikoski, under the supervision of associate professor Christina Duncan, Ph.D., is spending two days each week for the next year at West Penn Hospital in Pittsburgh, Pa. She is providing clinical services to children and young adults who have suffered serious burns.
Currently, West Penn does not have a psychologist integrated routinely into their health care team. Mentrikoski assists existing staff in different treatment procedures, occupational therapy and physical therapy. This summer, Mentrikoski worked at the West Penn Burn Summer Camp at Camp Kon-O-Kwee acting as a counselor and conducting research.
Mentrikoski teaches patients coping skills and pain management techniques. For example, during physical therapy, burn patients work on their range of motion to regain full use of an injured area of the body. Range of motion exercises are done to stretch the burned skin so it heals properly, but these exercises can be very painful. Mentrikoski teaches children relaxation techniques like deep breathing and uses distractions like pinwheels, bubbles, video games and books to help the young patients take their minds off of the pain.
Mentrikoski also makes sure the children are wearing their pressure garments properly and as prescribed. These articles of clothing are tight and uncomfortable for burn patients, but help in the process of proper healing by keeping the skin and injured areas compressed.
Duncan’s current research focuses on the adherence to pressure garment use. Mentrikoski is assisting with Duncan’s project, which looks into what factors can predict a patient’s use or nonuse of the garments. Duncan and Mentrikoski are working to develop a scale to measure the compliance or obedience to garment use. This is important because self-reporting by patients, particularly children, is not always reliable. With a new and more reliable observation scale, medical staff can evaluate and administer more effective treatment.
A second study focuses on assessing social competence and social skills in burn patients. Results from this study will aid in future social treatment to burn patients as they begin their recovery both physically and mentally.
“It is clear that recovery from burn injuries is both a physical and emotional process and one that takes considerable time,” Duncan said. “It is one of the most painful medical conditions and research has shown that some patients endure psychosocial repercussions including teasing, staring, bullying and athletic limitations for many years thereafter.
“It is our goal to help the children and families at West Penn Burn Center deal more effectively with their painful medical treatments—wound care, therapies—adhere to their rehabilitation program, and develop positive coping skills for the psychosocial concerns they may encounter.”
Christina Duncan is the coordinator of the clinical child psychology program at WVU. She received her doctorate at Louisiana State University in 1995. Her research areas include pediatric psychology, adherence to medical regimens, pediatric pulmonary disorders, burn injuries and family adjustment to pediatric chronic illness and its demands.
Mentrikoski’s and Duncan’s work is made possible by a grant from the West Penn Allegheny Health System, Inc. in the amount of $25,660.
For more information, contact Christina Duncan, Ph.D., at 304-293-1289 or Christina.Duncan@mail.wvu.edu
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