Speech therapy in face and neck burns

Abstract

Face burns can result in scars that damage the burnt communication capacity as well as their oral motor system functionality. This study aimed at understanding the practice developed by the speech therapists in patients with face and neck burns in Fortaleza - Ceará. A qualitative research was developed with 41 speech therapists in clinics, hospitals and rehabilitation centers in Fortaleza, who answered 5 questions about the knowledge and benefits of the speech therapist intervention for the rehabilitation of patients with face and neck burns and about the search for this type of attendance. The results showed that 38 professionals did not have any contact with this type of procedure during their practice, 24 of them had some information about the importance of this attendance and they knew about some attendance fields in this area. It was observed that in spite of the awareness and the knowledge of the importance of this procedure, many professionals in Fortaleza did not apply it. The speech therapists reassured their need of more theoretical knowledge and practical experience to work in this area, and said that this reality could be changed both by their insertion into burnt attendance units, as well as by the disclosure of clinical studies on this matter. In this way, the medical community and the society would be able to recognize the speech therapist intervention as a way to improve the burnt quality of life.