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.
- 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.