Psychological Trauma in EMS Patients (19APR2024)

NAEMT's Psychological Trauma in EMS Patients (PTEP) course gives EMS practitioners the resources they need to help alleviate patients’ hidden wounds – intense fear, stress and pain – during a medical emergency.

PTEP educates EMS practitioners about the biological underpinnings of psychological trauma, the short and long-term impact on the brain and body, and warning signs that a patient is experiencing extreme psychological distress. EMS practitioners are also taught strategies and techniques to alleviate patients’ distress and help patients cope with what they’re experiencing to ward off lingering effects.

The 8-hour classroom course features scenario-based interactive sessions and lectures. Topics covered include:

• The invisible wounds of psychological trauma

• Reducing psychological traumatic stress

• Understanding the physiological stress response