Burn management. Psychosocial interventions: pharmacologic and psychologic modalities.

The devastating nature of a thermal injury drastically alters both the physical and psychologic elements of the survivor. Understanding the physiologic and psychologic processes of burn patients in all phases of recovery enables the caregiver to provide optimal holistic treatment to the patient. The pain of burns can be treated best with analgesic medication in conjunction with therapeutic psychologic interventions. Care of thermally injured patients requires dedicated and well-trained staff members who can effectively assist the patient in coping with the situation and working toward recovery.