Trauma Rehabilitation is a wide ranging field of study which centers on helping people recover from a trauma.1
A trauma is an injury to the body which can be caused by violence, war or crime, exposure to heat, exposure to chemicals, or exposure to electricity.1 A major trauma is one that can lead to lifelong disability or death.
Trauma is the leading cause of death for people between the ages of one and thirty five years of age.1
This field is also known as Physiatry or Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation.2
Physiatry is a medical specialty concerned with diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of physical impairments.2
Trauma could be associated with disorders in body-parts such as the brain, nerves, bones, or muscles. …show more content…
They care for the patient in the immediate time after the trauma to make sure they stay alive and they try to limit the resulting disability. They treat the acute physical injuries.4
One type of specialized doctor is a trauma surgeon. They are responsible for all surgical procedures on an immediate basis. 4
Occupational therapists help trauma victims recover and gain the skills they need daily for their life with a disability.8 Many times people who go through trauma forget how to do something like eat or dress and they would have to relearn those.5 Occupational therapists evaluate the patient’s status, plan out a rehabilitation program and assist the patient as they are rehabilitated.8
Therapies for trauma victims cover different categories such as Cognitive therapy, Speech/Language Therapy, Physical Therapy, Occupational Therapy, Neuro Behavioral therapy, Vocational Rehabilitation, Neuropsychological testing.5
Biomedical engineers are scientists who research what trauma patients need to replace lost or non-functioning limbs. They then use medical knowledge and technical advancements to design to design prosthetics. Prosthetics are mechanical replacements of lost …show more content…
They must be organized, caring, and persistent.8
Biomedical Engineers must be skilled in computers, technology, and physics. They also must specialize in a engineering field such as biomechanics.
What education is required to work in this field?
Trauma doctors go through extensive schooling and training. They start with a college degree, then complete a three to four year surgery residency. They finish up with a one to two year fellowship in trauma and critical care.7
Occupational therapists receive a college degree in a scientific discipline and then spend two years getting their masters of science in occupational therapy.
Biomedical Engineers study to get a bachelors degree in Biomedical Engineering. They can get their masters and/or doctorate in Biomedical Engineering.6
What is the projected growth in this field of study?
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor statistics (BLS) the projected growth for all Physicians and Surgeons is 14% from 2014-20247
The field of Occupational Therapy is projected to grow 27% from