Occupational therapy practitioners role in burn rehab

According to the American Burn Association (2023), a person in the United States sustains a burn injury about every minute. Burn injuries require specialized knowledge and treatment from a multidisciplinary team, including occupational therapy practitioners (OTPs). Literature has shown that burn injuries heal by contracture; contractures then lead to a loss of mobility and function, which can limit or hinder participation in occupations (Oosterwijk et al., 2017). Therefore, OTPs use various treatment modalities, approaches, and techniques to optimize a patient’s outcomes and promote a return to their prior level of function (PLOF). This article highlights the OTP role through each stage of the burn recovery process, burn injury challenges, and subsequent therapy approaches. Occupational therapy assistants with the appropriate training may provide these interventions under the supervision of an occupational therapist.