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.