Physical Therapists have a unique position in the team as professionals who understand and work with patients to

improve mobility and quality of life.

The main purpose of a physical therapist in this setting is to:Promote independence and recover ROM.

Prevent contractures after a burn.Prevent and reduce scarring.

Negative Aspects of working in this setting

• Patients during acute/wound care phase of recovery experience intense pain, which inhibits movement. Physical Therapists will help them to recover movement but they find it very hard, as these patients are usually in extreme pain.

• PT’s need to be very careful when working in this setting. The types of injuries seen in here are very severe. Therefore, any mistake from the therapist can cause serious complications in the patient. The injury can get worsen causing scarring. Excessive scarring may lead to significant functional impairment and contractures on the body which is the primary cause of functional deficits in patients with burns.

• Patients in this setting are at considerable risk for infection. The burn wound and its care are primary sources for transmission of microorganisms throughout the body and the environment. Infection not only prolongs healing process, but also causes excess collagen to be produced in the wound, leading to hypertrophic scarring and increase amount of itch. PT’s need to be aware about these infections as they can be contagious and can be spread out easily.

• For a Physical Therapist, working with population such as this one which undergoes so much physical stress, the environment can be extremely physically taxing.

Positive Aspects of working in this setting.

• In this setting, results are very objective. You can clearly see the skin getting better ,edemas reduction, more ROM in those areas, and other improvements throughout the treatment.

• The results of a wound care are very profound, therefore very rewarding for both the PT and the patient. In this setting, the PT and the patient will work for longer period of time and at regular intervals making the treatment more likely to be successful. They establish close bonds, enriching the experience of the profession and the life of the patient.

• The Integumentary System is first line of defense against many organisms and pathogens. Therefore, as PT’s we are working to save one of the largest organs/defenses of the human body. PT’s will find lots of challenging situations.

• Altruism is seen in here. In this setting, physical therapist do not get pay much, but physical therapist usually work in here because they really like the setting and the patient is prior to the his/her personal needs.