EXTENT OF PLASTIC SURGEON AWARENESS OF PHYSICAL THERAPY ROLE IN BURN CENTERS

Abstract

Background: Physical therapy is a crucial aspect of medical disciplines all around the world, and it has expanded into many numerous specialties. One of them is burn care, and physical therapists who work in burn care always play a crucial part in patient care. Physician all around Giza and Cairo hospitals were non significantly aware of role of physiotherapy role in burn rehab. Aim of the study: was to investigate awareness of physician about physical therapy role in burn rehab according to their level of experience in burn rehab and their working place. Subjects and Methods: One hundred and thirty-four physicians from both sexes participated in this study. All Physicians had experience in burn rehab and had previously worked with burn cases. The awareness of physicians were studied by self-structured close-end questionnaire. Results: Based on the information gathered from questionnaire. Physician responses about 94.53% were aware of the skills and knowledge of physical therapist while 5.47% are not aware. Regarding different physiotherapy field, plastic surgeons are the well aware with orthopedic 92.19%, neurology 86.72%, and 89.06% surgery and burn departments while less well-known other fields. Plastic surgeons have knowledge 54.69% about burn rehab provided by physiotherapy. The plastic surgeons were Mostly aware of physiotherapy hand burn 95.31% while less aware of other burn case referred to physiotherapy. Burn patients are prone many complications as decreased joint mobility, muscle mass loss, and abnormalities. The physician knowledge of physiotherapy intervention to avert these problems were 86.72% while 10.94% not aware. 93.75% of plastic surgeons are aware of the physical therapy use orthosis to treat post burn deformities. 77.43% Plastic surgeons have read about physical therapy implement hydrotherapy for burn cases but unfortunately not seen in real life. 83.59% have at least some knowledge about physical therapy modalities that enhance burn healing. Conclusion: We need to focus on improving physician awareness of the modalities used in burn treatment and the ongoing development of these instruments and procedures. Plastic surgeons had a positive perspective on physical therapy role in burn rehab.