Invisible Injuries: The Impacts of Trauma

*signature talk  4, 6, or 8 hours

The toxic stress that results from trauma often negatively influences brain development and can greatly impact individuals. The terror and isolation that is at the core of trauma reshapes both the brain and body.  This presentation highlights the very complicated intersections of trauma, brain injury, mental illness, addictions, and chronic medical conditions.  Traumatized people experience anxiety, rage, and how trauma affects their capacity to concentrate, to remember, to form trusting relationships and even to feel at home in their bodies.  Unidentified trauma can lead to mental health and medical mayhem that leads patients to frequent emergency rooms, urgent care, and EMS transports.  Understanding the complicated dynamics of trauma can help us better advocate and appreciate our patients.

Objectives:

Upon completion of this course, the attendee will be able to:

• Understand how trauma affects the body, mind, and brain.
• Identify the medical conditions that can be rooted in trauma.
• Describe the long-term consequences of childhood abuse and neglect.
• Better explain the vicarious traumatization in first responders.
• Classify basic strategies for empathizing with and treating trauma victims.

 

Domestic Violence-The Victim, the Abuser, and the Incident

Domestic Violence is a public health epidemic.  It is also one of the most dangerous scenes for first responders.  People face challenges when caring for adults or children whose life experiences have been centered around domestic violence.  Domestic violence is difficult to understand because there are often blurred lines of what abuse is.  Attendees will be addressing myths that surround abuse as well as being challenged to confront their own bias regarding the abusers, the victims, and the incidents of abuse.  This presentation discusses domestic violence, the psychology of a victim and abuser, and the scene concerns for all responding personnel.  The presenter shares her own story of being victimized by domestic violence and its long-term impacts.  The first step in addressing the struggles of those living with domestic violence is to understand it. This training is for all first responders as it covers the dynamics of an environment YOU will become a part of.

Objectives:

Upon completion of this course, the attendee will be able to:

• Discuss how their role can lead to safer interventions for victims.
• Understand how prolonged exposure to abuse can manifest in medical symptoms.
• Explain the dynamic psychology of a victim in hopes to offer correct treatment and transport options.
• Explain the dynamic psychology of the abuser to understand the dangers of the scene dynamics better.
• Identify key points and the importance of documentation.

 

Strangulation: What Every First Responder Should Know

Strangulation has been identified as one of the most lethal forms of domestic violence and sexual assault.  A strangulation is an ultimate form of power and control where the batterer can demonstrate control over the victim’s next breath: it may have devastating psychological effects or a potentially fatal outcome.

In strangulation, unconsciousness may occur within seconds and death within minutes.  Death can occur in the days following the incident as well.  With strangulation often leaving no physical marks, it is imperative that first responders can identify other signs and symptoms.  When domestic violence perpetrators choke (strangle) their victims, not only is this felonious assault, but it may be an attempted homicide.  Strangulation is often considered the “last warning shot” before homicide.

Objectives:

Upon completion of this course, the attendee will be able to:

• Understand the prevalence of strangulation in domestic violence incidents and its serious consequences.
• Discuss the signs and symptoms of strangulation.
• Know the misconceptions about strangulation.
• Describe ways to advocate for victims of strangulation.
• Identify scene concerns for first responders on strangulation and domestic violence calls.

 

Prisoner in Your Head: Traumatic Brain Injuries

When most people hear concussion or traumatic brain injury, they often think of sports injuries.  The goal of this presentation is to introduce (TBIs) traumatic brain injuries as a whole, including mechanisms of injury, signs, symptoms, severity levels, and rates of TBI.  With nearly 2.8 million people acquiring a TBI each year, this is a growing interest in America.  The presenter shares her journey through a decade-long misdiagnosis and how it has impacted her life.  For healthcare workers and first responders, understanding the prevalence and dynamics of brain injury can be crucial for the patients.

Objectives:

Upon completion of this course, the attendee will be able to:

• Understand how trauma impacts the structures of the brain.
• Identify signs and symptoms of brain injury that may be present for first responders.
• Explain treatment options and strategies for first responders.
• Discuss common communication challenges experienced by individuals with TBI.
• Identify the importance of identifying and documenting potential injuries and risks for the patient’s proper diagnosis and treatments.

 

Behind Those Angel Eyes

Child abuse is a growing epidemic in this Country.  Children exposed to trauma need a compassionate human connection. We as a society, ask “What is wrong with this child?” when a child is acting out emotionally and behaviorally, instead of “What has happened to this child”.  EMS providers have the potential to help them feel secure, respected, and understood when we understand the dynamics of child abuse.  The presenter shares a brief bit of her story of stolen innocence to show how one person can make a lasting impact on an abused child.  Could you be the one person for a child?

Objectives

Upon completion of this course, the attendee will be able to:

• Differentiate between child abuse and neglect.
• Identify and explain different types of abuse.
• Discuss the potential medical problems associated with child abuse and neglect.
• Summarize the potential emotional and behavioral signs of abuse.
• Better understand familial trafficking and its signs.
• Discuss the roles and options for first responders who suspect child abuse.
• Discuss EMS roles in the treatment of suspected abused children.

 

PTSD: Post Traumatic Stress Disorder for EMS

EMS providers frequently encounter high-stress situations and traumatic events, making them particularly susceptible to developing Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). Understanding PTSD is crucial for EMS personnel to manage their own mental health and provide effective care to patients who may also be suffering from this condition. This training aims to educate EMS providers on the signs and symptoms of PTSD, including hypervigilance, flashbacks, avoidance behaviors, and mood disturbances. Additionally, the training will cover coping strategies, stress management techniques, and resources for seeking professional help. By equipping EMS providers with this knowledge, we hope to foster a supportive work environment that prioritizes mental health and enhances the overall quality of patient care.

Objectives

Upon completion of this course, the attendee will be able to:

• Identify signs and symptoms of PTSD
• Understands how PTSD affects mental, emotional, and physical health.
• Better understand ways to monitor and evaluate their own mental health.
• Discuss effective communication techniques to engage with patients and colleagues experiencing PTSD.
• Better understanding of common triggers and ways to mitigate or manage them.

 

EMS on the Frontline: Tackling Addictions with Compassion and Care

This training will delve into the underlying factors that contribute to addiction, including genetic, environmental, and psychological influences. Participants will learn to recognize the early signs and symptoms of addiction, allowing for timely and effective interventions. The training will also cover compassionate communication techniques to build trust with individuals struggling with addiction, strategies for managing overdose emergencies and connecting patients to appropriate resources and support systems. By understanding the root causes and development of addiction, EMS providers will be better equipped to offer empathetic and effective care to those in need.

Objectives

Upon completion of this course, the attendee will be able to:

• Discuss some root causes of addictions.
• Better understand the importance of compassionate communication with addicted patients.
• Better identify the early signs of addictions and co-occurring disorders.
• Discuss the importance of knowing your community resources to offer patients
• Better understand the cycle of addictions and why breaking addictions is so challenging.

 

Human Trafficking for EMS

Human trafficking is a $150 billion industry and ranks as the second most profitable illegal trade worldwide. It has been reported in all 50 states. One of the most prevalent forms of trafficking involves family members, accounting for both sex and labor trafficking. Estimates suggest that 40% of all trafficking victims are trafficked by relatives. EMS providers have unique opportunities to interact with victims due to their proximity to patients’ social and environmental circumstances. These clinicians need to be familiar with the signs and symptoms of human trafficking and understand how to best care for suspected or confirmed trafficked patients. Evidence from multiple studies indicates that providers who have received formal training are better able to recognize the signs and symptoms of human trafficking and can, therefore, provide better care to potential victims.

Objectives:

Upon completion of this course, the attendee will be able to:

• Better identify scene safety concerns with a suspect trafficking victim.
• Identify the importance of a trauma-informed approach.
• Discuss ways to empower and support patients.
• Recognize the signs of trauma with trafficking.
• Identify the importance of identifying and documenting observations of the scene and patient.