Working with burns survivors: A social work approach

Abstract

Adjustment to a major burn may be a prolonged and demanding journey for patients, families and staff working with this client group. As well as recovering physically, patients must wok towards a psychological recovery by confronting a complex range of emotional responses to their injury. We outline the psychosocial impact of burn injury and suggest ways in which the social worker can assist in the adjustment process during the hospital admission both in the acute and the rehabilitation phases, including a case-management approach and the establishment of a support group for survivors.