Burn rehabilitation: A challenge, our effort

Introduction: The rehabilitation of the burn patient is difficult, time consuming and yet an undeniably integral part of their management. The long-term effects of burns are wide ranging; from permanent scarring and debilitating contractures and deformities, to deep psychological trauma, which often results in fear of social exclusion, depression and suicidal ideation. Methods: The successful rehabilitation of the burn survivor requires the involvement of a multi-disciplinary team from the 1 st day in order to meet the patient's complex needs. Following this, the burns team ensures the continuation of rehabilitation of the patient before and after discharge of the patient from the hospital. Finally, the patient is encouraged to join social networking activities to help regain confidence. Objectives: A burns unit must utilize all the skills and resources it has available to it, in order to provide the burn survivor with the best possible outcome. However, in hospitals located in resource-limited areas across India, the professions and resources required for this task may not be readily available to support the burns patient. The team must be able to reflect on itself and consider how best to continue to improve the provision of burns rehabilitation in the future so as to further reduce morbidity and improve quality-of-life. Conclusion: Nothing short of a multidisciplinary burn team that is dedicated to securing the patient's physical, psychological, social and spiritual wellbeing is required to ensure that a burn victim can return to their families, their work and their society and lead a long and fulfilled life.