A Quantitative Review of Certified Burn Therapist’s Involvement in the JBCR Publications and ABA Leadership

Abstract

The Burn Therapist Certification (BT-C) was introduced in 2018 to acknowledge occupational and physical therapists with specialized knowledge, skill, and experience in promotion of quality burn rehabilitation. Currently, BT-Cs make up 11.7% of therapists working in burn rehabilitation (n=39/333). The purpose of this review is to report on contributions of BT-Cs to organizational leadership of the American Burn Association (ABA) and in the generation of new knowledge through peer-reviewed publications. Despite the small percentage of burn therapists who are certified, they have a disproportionately large involvement in leadership within the ABA and burn research in the Journal of Burn Care and Rehabilitation (JBCR). From 2018-2023, BT-Cs have contributed to nearly one-half (n=26/56) of therapy authored publications in the JBCR and almost one-third (n=65/202) of accepted abstracts at the ABA annual meeting. Certified burn therapists demonstrate substantial involvement throughout the ABA including maintaining an 85% membership rate and on average serve in 53% (n=31/59) of the therapy allotted committee positions. Therapist pursuit of certification can have a profound impact on the burn community through publication, leadership, and development of care standards. Although therapists have indicated a desire to pursue certification, barriers related to a lack of association and center support have been identified. The burn community has endorsed certification as a mark of excellence for nurses and physicians. Maximizing the value of a transdisciplinary approach to burn care is also dependent on excellence from therapies. If the burn community desires improved engagement and contribution from therapies, it should support therapist certification.