Burns: Role of occupational therapist essential
Multi-disciplinary team
The spotlight fell on the role of occupational therapy in each phase of the healing process from admission to an intensive care unit (ICU), followed by the acute, surgical and rehabilitation phases.
With May being the awareness month for burns in Southern Africa, the Namibian Association for Occupational Therapists (NAOT) launched an awareness campaign about the role of the occupational therapist in the treatment of a person who has suffered burns. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), 180,000 people die from burns every year, with the majority of deaths occurring in Southern Africa and also in Southeast Asia. Apart from the fact that burns can be caused by flames, they can also be caused by contact with electricity, radioactive material, cold and chemicals. A burn is classified by the surface of the skin that is damaged, as well as the depth of the wound.According to occupational therapist and NAOT member Karlien Burger, the awareness campaign in Namibia focused on the role of occupational therapy in each phase of the healing process and indeed from admission to an intensive care unit (ICU), followed by the acute, surgical and rehabilitation phase. The role of the occupational therapist is to prevent any further complications such as reduced range of motion of joints and contractures. The latter occurs when the burn scar ages, thickens and stiffens and prevents movement.
According to Burger, occupational therapists use a multitude of modalities to promote the treatment such as wound care, as well as compression garments and splints that are each made individually for the patient. "What is important to remember is that the role of occupational therapists is essential and that persons who have suffered burns benefit from the treatment of a multidisciplinary team (MDS). The family and carers are part of this team and usually also need support as part of the treatment," explains Burger.
According to her, the main outcomes that an occupational therapist works towards is that the person feels like a valuable and contributing member of their family and society.
"The occupational therapist, in collaboration with the client and the MDS, will set goals for the therapy so that the client can participate in activities that they want, need, or are expected to participate in."
Burger emphasises that after sustaining a burn, treatment must be holistic and ensure that not only physical goals are achieved. Psychosocial problems such as depression and anxiety as a result of the long-term hospitalization and treatment, as well as physical appearance that has changed, must also be addressed.
The occupational therapists who participated in the awareness campaign in May were Antoinette de Almeida, Thelma Marwa, Aloise Shapumba, Hettie Maritz, Johanna Kamati, as well as the occupational therapy assistant Ronnie Witbeen, the burn activist Tania Ward, as well as the occupational therapy students associated with the University of Namibia (Unam), Teresia Thomas and Undjizuva Kandenge.
Tania Ward suffered 68% third degree burns at the age of 12 and today, after 69 operations and daily occupational therapy, leads a meaningful and exciting life. During Tania's treatment, the occupational therapist used activities in which she was interested and which were meaningful to her. It reduced the pain and built her motivation.
According to Tania, the patient must remain hopeful and optimistic and face each day with courage, something that is perfectly summed up in the words of Joshua Graham: "I survived because the fire inside me burned brighter than the fire around me."
For more information, contact NAOT at [email protected] or visit the website www.naotnam.org.