Caring for People Who Use Drugs: Best Practices for EMS Providers

Original research
by
Murray, Stephen, Walley, Alexander, and Brittni Reilly

Release Date

2022

Geography

USA

Language of Resource

English

Full Text Available

No

Open Access / OK to Reproduce

No

Peer Reviewed

Yes

Findings/Key points

Describes a training with an intended audience of Emergency Medical Technicians (EMTs) and Paramedics in Massachusetts that will orient them to harm reduction philosophy. The training is delivered online through an asynchronous platform housed at Boston University School of Public Health and centers around several themes including the impact of fentanyl on the drug supply, the role of harm reduction in mitigating the impacts of drug criminalization, and ensuring that EMS providers have access to tools and best practices for improving overdose response, pain management, documentation, and respectful language.

Keywords

Harm reduction
Social services
Stigma
Digital health