NAEMT's Psychological Trauma in EMS Patients (PTEP) course gives EMS practitioners the resources they need to help alleviate patients’ hidden wounds – intense fear, stress and pain – during a medical emergency.

PTEP educates EMS practitioners about the biological underpinnings of psychological trauma, the short and long-term impact on the brain and body, and warning signs that a patient is experiencing extreme psychological distress. EMS practitioners are also taught strategies and techniques to alleviate patients’ distress and help patients cope with what they’re experiencing to ward off lingering effects.

The 8-hour classroom course features scenario-based interactive sessions and lectures. Topics covered include:

• The invisible wounds of psychological trauma

• Reducing psychological traumatic stress

• Understanding the physiological stress response

• Applying the eSCAPe principle to patient care

• Patient simulations

• Recognizing psychological trauma within EMS

PTEP is designed for EMS practitioners and other prehospital providers. The course is accredited by CAPCE and recognized by NREMT.  Students who successfully complete the course receive a certificate of completion, a wallet card good for 4 years, and 8 hours of CAPCE credit.