in medicine. The injury represents an assault on all aspects of
the patient, from the physical to the psychological. It affects all
ages, from babies to elderly people, and is a problem in both
the developed and developing world. All of us have experienced
the severe pain that even a small burn can bring. However the
pain and distress caused by a large burn are not limited to the
immediate event. The visible physical and the invisible
psychological scars are long lasting and often lead to chronic
disability. Burn injuries represent a diverse and varied challenge
to medical and paramedical staff. Correct management requires
a skilled multidisciplinary approach that addresses all the
problems facing a burn patient.
This series provides an overview of the most important
aspects of burn injuries for hospital and non-hospital
healthcare workers.
