Heat Waves and Wildfires for the Practicing Psychiatrist: What you need to know to protect your patients and community-View Presentation

Video Transcription

Video Summary

Summary:<br /><br />This video features Dr. Beth Haas and Dr. Jacob Lee discussing the impact of heat waves on mental health and providing guidance on how to protect patients from heat-related illnesses. They discuss the increase in global average surface temperatures over the last century and the recent extreme heat events around the world. They also highlight the disproportionate risk faced by disadvantaged populations and minority groups. Heat-related illnesses, such as heat exhaustion and heat stroke, are explained, along with the impact of psychiatric medications on the body's temperature response. The doctors stress the importance of heat acclimatization and provide recommendations for mitigating the effects of heat, such as staying hydrated, wearing light clothing, and limiting outdoor activity during the hottest parts of the day. They also discuss the role of cooling devices and the need for employers to implement measures to protect workers from heat-related hazards. The video concludes with information on how healthcare professionals can access resources and data to help protect their patients from the dangers of extreme heat. Overall, the video provides a comprehensive overview of the impact of heat waves on mental health and offers practical advice for healthcare providers.

Keywords

heat waves

mental health

heat-related illnesses

global average surface temperatures

extreme heat events

disadvantaged populations

heat exhaustion

heat stroke

psychiatric medications

heat acclimatization