Discussing First Aid Training Issues of Psychiatric Emergencies

Abstract

Aims:

Psychiatry is considered a specialty not having a lot to do with medical emergencies. Psychiatrists are being asked to contribute to medical treatment or diagnosis after the completion of diagnostic procedures by physicians, often concluded in a diagnosis by exclusion. Having said that, emergency psychiatric issues often arise in usual clinical practice.

Methods:

Thorough research of the main medical databases, and web search engines for relevant studies. We scrutinize them independently, before reaching consensus about appropriateness.

Results:

There are several books, articles and guidelines that go beyond the psychiatric emergencies of mentally ill patients, aiming to provide guidelines for the providers of emergency treatment in settings that access to psychiatric treatment is limited due to obstacle of time or distance.

Conclusions:

Although general in concept and not particularly concerned with the accuracy of psychiatric diagnosis and the description of symptoms and signs of psychopathology, there are general guidelines well described that a qualified nurse, social worker or an ambulance worker could apply. We have an obligation to disseminate knowledge about dealing with psychiatric emergencies especially to health services at remote areas. Publication of treatment guidelines that are easy to apply, could be the next step in recognition, early intervention and appropriate referral in challenging psychiatric situations at the members states of European Union.