Study of Practical Application of Medical Assistants in Burn Center

ABSTRACT

PURPOSE: Complications and mortality rate of burn injuries are recently decreasing owing to development of systematic and special burn therapy. Whereas we are suffering from the lack of the medical manpower in burn center. In the future we might need more medical assistants to compensate these shortages. In this study we tried to search the path through these difficulties by considering the practical application of medical assistants. METHODS: We compared Korea's current situation of burn treatment with other countries in various references. Also we studied and compared recent situation of medical assistants in Korea and U.S.A. We took special considerations for Korean emergency medical technician, physical therapist and occupational therapist. RESULTS: Our study showed that we are practically using emergency medical technician, physical therapist and occupational therapist as medical assistants in various fields including burn centers. Emergency medical technician, physical therapist and occupational therapist as medical assistants can be excellent medical substitutes for shortage of manpower in our burn centers. Compared with U.S.A's current situation we are quite lacking of certain certified programs for such medical assistants. Burn therapists can be promoted from medical assistants through certain certified educational programs. CONCLUSION: We think that emergency medical technician, physical therapist and occupational therapist, who have certification concerning certain medical experience, should undergo certified educational program for burn therapy and should be used as a actual burn therapists to overcome the shortage of manpower in our burn centers.