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Caring for People Who Use Drugs: Best Practices for EMS Providers.

Authors :
Murray, Stephen
Walley, Alexander Y.
Reilly, Brittni
Source :
Health Promotion Practice. Sep2024, Vol. 25 Issue 5, p738-740. 3p.
Publication Year :
2024

Abstract

People who use drugs (PWUD) face stigmatizing treatment and substandard care during all stages of their health care journey, including in the prehospital setting by Emergency Medical Services (EMS) providers. Drawing on the professional and lived experience of the authors, we have developed a training with an intended audience of Emergency Medical Technicians (EMTs) and Paramedics in Massachusetts that will orient them to harm reduction philosophy. The training is delivered online through an asynchronous platform housed at Boston University School of Public Health and centers around several themes including the impact of fentanyl on the drug supply, the role of harm reduction in mitigating the impacts of drug criminalization, and ensuring that EMS providers have access to tools and best practices for improving overdose response, pain management, documentation, and respectful language. The training has been approved for Massachusetts Office of Emergency Medical Services (OEMS) continuing education credit and will be offered for free. We plan to evaluate changes in participant knowledge and attitudes and overall acceptability of the training among EMS providers in Massachusetts. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Details

Language :
English
ISSN :
15248399
Volume :
25
Issue :
5
Database :
Academic Search Index
Journal :
Health Promotion Practice
Publication Type :
Academic Journal
Accession number :
179412735
Full Text :
https://doi.org/10.1177/15248399221126163