Professor Fiona Wood seeking 5000 West Australians to study long-term risks of burns

Physical scars left by burns are often obvious to see. But long-term physiological impact can sometimes fester undetected for years, something a new WA study led by acclaimed researcher Professor Fiona Wood hopes to change. Professor Wood and her team at the Burns Service of WA and Fiona Wood Foundation want to recruit about 5000 people to be a part of a survey as a first step to examining long-term quality of life for burns survivors. West Australians with burns are often only monitored for two years after injury, limiting just how much is understood about how people have been impacted decades later. The Ultralong Follow-up After Burn study is seeking adults who experienced a burn injury and received treatment in Western Australia from 1993 onwards to complete a short, confidential online survey. “We’ve discovered in some people there’s a physiological scar, and so what we’re trying to understand is what that is and how it affects the rest of life,” Professor Wood said. “By doing this questionnaire and coming back into the fold, we’ll be able to try and really interrogate this because it is something that’s not been realised before. “A lot of what we do here in WA in the burn service is world first, is on that edge, and this will be again driving that knowledge base forward. “What I think really is important is if we find out who is vulnerable to these changes, we can go right back to the beginning, identify those vulnerable, and stop it happening before it even starts.” Great Southern farmer Tim Haslam said the research was important to him after he sustained third degree burns to 38 per cent of his body during a harvest fire on December 20, 2023. Mr Haslam was working in a harvester when a blaze started and escalated rapidly when the wind changed. His vehicle became bogged while he was attempting to respond and as he tied to escape he fell into the flames. He was most severely burnt on his face and hands — losing the ends of his fingers. Mr Haslam said he wouldn’t be here without Fiona Wood Foundation research. “Everybody thinks it won’t be them, but when it is them, it happens in an instant, and it’ll change your life forever,” he said. “As a burns survivor, I have been the beneficiary of Fiona’s previous research and this is just an extension of that. “I understand that about 48 per cent of burns victims that present are from the bush and regional so it’s just very important that people in the bush, regardless of how big or small your burn was, please, make yourself available.” Mr Haslam said his burns had changed his life forever but that he was determined to keep doing the job he loved. “I’m a farmer, and my day-to-day life is manual labour,” he said. “I find it difficult now, and I find it, you know, I do things slower ... I find things difficult but I just love farming. I love the people I work with and it takes a bit longer.” The study is open to adults who experienced a burn injury and received treatment in Western Australia from 1993 onwards, whether care was provided by a GP, a local or regional hospital, an emergency department, or a specialist burns service. Researchers want to hear from people across metropolitan, regional and remote Western Australia, including those who have recovered well and those managing ongoing physical, emotional or social effects. Participation is voluntary and involves a confidential online survey taking approximately 10 to 15 minutes. To learn more and take part, visit www.fionawoodfoundation.org.au