Nonpharmacologic Methods to Relieve and Manage Pain and Anxiety

Pain is a common presenting complaint to emergency departments and EMS, and painful procedures are often necessary. Most EDs do not have child life specialists, psychologists, or other resources to assist patients in pain or during procedures. The majority of emergency care providers (physicians, nurses, and paramedics) are not trained in nonpharmacologic means of managing pain and anxiety. This course will discuss nonpharmacologic methods of relieving and managing pain in ED and prehospital/EMS settings. Although mainly used in children, many of these techniques and tools are helpful in adult patients. (Recorded at PAINWeek 2016)