Awareness
Have you ever considered how ER24 supports not only the patient but also the loved ones who have experienced a traumatic event?
To the untrained eye, the most urgent issue that needs attention is the physical injuries after a traumatic event. ER24 paramedics understand that the patients they treat are not only physically injured but often psychologically shaken, too. ER24 paramedics are equipped to offer immediate emotional support — not just to patients, but also to family or bystanders — helping to reduce distress in the moment.
These initial steps by EMS personnel, further supported and extended to our patients through ER24’s team of trauma counsellors, may be termed Psychological First Aid. While the term ‘psychological first aid’ may not be well known in the mainstream and could be considered new by some, the techniques are practised by healthcare practitioners across the spectrum of care. Active consideration for the psychological impact of trauma and its impact upon patients has been integrated into the training of emergency care personnel and other healthcare professionals for many years.
What is Psychological First Aid (PFA)
Psychological First Aid is an evidence-based technique for helping people in the immediate aftermath of trauma. It aims to comfort the individual, stabilise them and provide support and resources in a time of distress.
PFA is used by paramedics and healthcare practitioners during or after an emergency, such as a natural disaster, or when a person has experienced a sudden loss. It is used to help victims who are directly affected by a traumatic event, those who may have witnessed it, and sometimes even emergency services professionals who arrive at the scene first.
Why do paramedics use PFA?
According to Willem Rossouw, branch manager for ER24 Durban, using PFA techniques when treating a patient helps to calm the patient. Paramedics explain what's happening in a calm, reassuring tone to reduce panic or anxiety and help the patient feel more in control, especially in chaotic environments.
Some PFA techniques may include:
- Listening without judgment
- Helping patients feel safe
- Assisting with basic needs (blankets, water, reuniting with family if possible)
- Stabilisation: To calm and orientate emotionally overwhelmed or disoriented survivors
- Help connect patients with services, support systems, or resources (medical, psychological, social)
While psychological pain is not visible, it can be just as debilitating, especially when the individual doesn’t perceive that the trauma they have experienced would naturally have physical as well as psychological ramifications. This can leave them unequipped to recognise what they need in the moment, which is why instilling a sense of hope in those first few moments is so crucial.