First Responder EMS Curriculum for Training Centers in Eurasia

1. Explain the importance of serving as an advocate for the use of appropriateprotective equipment.2. Explain the importance of understanding the response to death and dying andcommunicating effectively with the patient’s family.3. Demonstrate a caring attitude toward any patient with illness or injury who requestsemergency medical services.4. Show compassion when caring for the physical and mental needs of patients.5. Participate willingly in the care of all patients.6. Communicate with empathy to patients being cared for, as well as with familymembers and friends of the patient.c. Psychomotor ObjectivesAt the completion of this lesson, the First Responder student will be able to:1. Use appropriate personal protective equipment in a scenario with potentialinfectious exposure. At the completion of the scenario, the First Responder willproperly remove and discard the protective garments.2. Complete disinfection/cleaning and all reporting documentation for the abovescenario.2. Emotional Aspects of Emergency Medical Carea. Stressful SituationsThe First Responder will be called upon to provide emergency medical assistance in avariety of stressful situations. It is important to consider these situations beforeconfronting them. The act of caring for an ill or injured patient is a combination ofphysical, mental, and emotional preparedness. Examples of stressful situations includemass casualties (the number of ill or injured patients exceeds the capabilities of thesystem to care for them, i.e., emergency care personnel, equipment and supplies,facilities), pediatric patients, infant and child trauma, amputations, death, abuse of aninfant/child/elder/spouse, violence, and death or injury of a co-worker or other publicsafety personnel. In all of these situations, the First Responder will experience personalstress as well as the stress of the patient and bystanders. Your effectiveness in allsituations will depend on your preparedness.b. Death and Dying1. Death is a universal experience that we will all face at one time or another. Deathaffects everyone, including the First Responder, bystanders, and families andfriends. Everyone’s response to death is individualized. However, most people sharea common coping mechanism, which is the normal grieving process. Understandingthe five stages of the grieving process will better enable you to understand andinteract with people who are trying to cope with the death of a loved one, coworker,or even a stranger. Compassion and understanding result from a familiaritywith these five stages of the grieving process.2. Denial is the first stage. Disbelief of a dreadful situation is a natural first response.This defense mechanism allows us to separate ourselves from the shock associatedwith an illness or injury resulting in death.3. Anger. Bystanders or family will often feel tremendous anger over the death of aloved one. “Why me?” is a common feeling. First Responders may be the initialtarget of this anger. It is important to exercise calm and compassion. Do not takeanger or insults personally. Always try to listen and communicate with bystanders12First Responder EMS Curriculum/AIHA, July 2002