In-flight psychiatric emergencies.
BACKGROUND
Although studies have been published regarding airline in-flight medical emergencies, there is a lack of any specific studies about in-flight psychiatric emergencies. This study seeks to ascertain the incidence of in-flight psychiatric emergencies, their associated factors, and outcomes.


METHODS
All in-flight calls for physician consultation to MedAire, a leading medical resource for airlines, during 1997 were reviewed for psychiatric symptomatology.


RESULTS
Of 1375 consultations, 3.5% were characterized as psychiatric, with a large majority (90%) of these cases presenting primarily as acute anxiety. Most of the psychiatric cases (69%) required arrangements for the passenger to be evaluated on arrival, and three cases required emergency flight diversion and landing.


CONCLUSIONS
This study suggests that an anxiolytic agent with a rapid onset may be indicated for the on-board medical kit.
Matsumoto
K
K
Department of Psychiatry, University of Hawaii, John A. Burns School of Medicine, Honolulu 96813, USA. KM@hawaii.rr.com
Goebert
D
D
D000328:Adult; D000337:Aerospace Medicine; D001007:Anxiety / Q000628:therapy; D004638:Emergency Treatment; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D006985:Hyperventilation / Q000628:therapy; D008875:Middle Aged; D010698:Phobic Disorders / Q000628:therapy; D013315:Stress, Psychological / Q000628:therapy; D017216:Telemedicine