Burn Injury Resource Center

Psychological issues that burn patients may deal with may include anxiety, depression, post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Employers and supervisors can provide support to the burn victims by:

• Written job instruction provision.
• Positive praise and reinforcement.
• Long term and short term goals establishment.
• Developing good strategies to deal with problems before they arise.
• Developing a procedure in order to evaluate the effectiveness of the accommodation.

Coworkers' interaction:

• Providing sensitivity training to supervisors and coworkers.
• Employees' education on their accommodation rights.
• Employees are encouraged to move non work related conversations out of the work place.

In case the burn victim has difficulty dealing with his/her emotions, the following things can be done by the employer to help:

• Referring employees who need help to counseling assistance.
• Allowing telephone calls to be made during work hours to doctors and other support groups.
• Allowing support animals to be present at work place.
• Allowing brakes to be taken by the employee as needed.

In case of sleep disorders, employers can help by:

• Allowing work hours to be flexible.
• Allowing breaks to be taken frequently.
• Allowing work to be done from home.

This information is not intended nor implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice; it should not be used during any medical emergency or for the diagnosis or treatment of any medical condition. Call 911 for all medical emergencies.