Associate Professor of Special Education/Paramedic St. Mary's College of Maryland/St. Mary's County Advanced Life Support Lexington Park, Maryland
Description: One in six adults (18%) in the United States live with mental illness or other mental health disorders. These can include anxiety, depression, post-traumatic stress disorder, bipolar disorder, obsessive-compulsive disorder, schizophrenia, and many others. Individuals with mental health issues are at greater risk for substance abuse, homelessness, and chronic health issues. This session will provide an overview of several mental health concerns that pre-hospital providers might encounter in the field. Also covered are suggestions for communication, medical conditions that can mimic mental health issues, and implications for EMS.
Learning Objectives:
Describe general suggestions for communicating with patients with mental health disorders
Identify physical health issues that can mimic mental health disorders
Identify characteristics of various mental health disorders
Identify how those characteristics of might impact EMS assessment, treatment, and transport
