Descriptive Analysis of Current Burn Care for Plain Communities in Ohio and Pennsylvania: A Qualitative Study of Strengths and Needs in a Hospital–Community Partnership.

This article focuses on the perspectives of Plain community caretakers—primarily Amish and Mennonite—regarding an existing partnership with an accredited hospital burn center to provide culturally competent burn care. Through a qualitative focus group with 12 Plain caretakers involved in traditional burn treatments (Burns and Wounds ointment and burdock leaf therapy) and rehabilitation (oil therapy), the study identified five key themes: informational needs, strengths of Plain community burn care, behavioral health concerns, behavioral health resources, and preferred teaching methods. Caretakers valued their traditional remedies and volunteer networks while expressing openness to learning hospital-recommended practices, emphasizing the importance of culturally sensitive collaboration and communication between medical providers and Plain communities. The findings highlight the potential for burn centers to develop respectful partnerships that integrate Plain cultural practices with modern medical care to improve physical and behavioral health outcomes for burn survivors.