A Quantitative Review of Certified Burn Therapist's Involvement in the JBCR Publications and ABA Leadership.

The Burn Therapist Certification (BT-C) was introduced in 2018 to acknowledge occupational and physical therapists with specialized knowledge, skill, and experience in promotion of quality burn rehabilitation. Currently, BT-Cs make up 11.7% of therapists working in burn rehabilitation (n=39/333). The purpose of this review is to report on contributions of BT-Cs to organizational leadership of the American Burn Association (ABA) and in the generation of new knowledge through peer-reviewed publications. Despite the small percentage of burn therapists who are certified, they have a disproportionately large involvement in leadership within the ABA and burn research in the Journal of Burn Care and Rehabilitation (JBCR). From 2018-2023, BT-Cs have contributed to nearly one-half (n=26/56) of therapy authored publications in the JBCR and almost one-third (n=65/202) of accepted abstracts at the ABA annual meeting. Certified burn therapists demonstrate substantial involvement throughout the ABA including maintaining an 85% membership rate and on average serve in 53% (n=31/59) of the therapy allotted committee positions. Therapist pursuit of certification can have a profound impact on the burn community through publication, leadership, and development of care standards. Although therapists have indicated a desire to pursue certification, barriers related to a lack of association and center support have been identified. The burn community has endorsed certification as a mark of excellence for nurses and physicians. Maximizing the value of a transdisciplinary approach to burn care is also dependent on excellence from therapies. If the burn community desires improved engagement and contribution from therapies, it should support therapist certification.

Rehabilitation Management of the Burned Hand.

Burns to the hands constitute a small total surface area burn, but can result in significant functional challenges and disability. The complexity of multiple anatomical structures and intricate interplay of bones, muscles, and connective tissues requires specialized knowledge of how burns of the hand can affect function and independence. This article will provide an evidence-based overview of rehabilitation of the burned hand across the burn care continuum including a focus on evaluation, pain management, treatment interventions, and outcome assessment. Additionally, various deficits that can put the hand at significant risk for loss of function will be discussed. Finally, the authors will address the special considerations and treatment caveats of addressing the pediatric hand burn.