Assessing the psychobiological demands of high-fidelity training in pre-hospital emergency medicine.

Assessing the psychobiological demands of high-fidelity training in pre-hospital emergency medicine.

Prof. Mark Wetherell

Organization

Northumbria University, United Kingdom.

Team

Prof. Mark Wetherell

Dr. Jeff Doran

Project Description & Objectives

The ‘Pre-Hospital Emergency Medicine Crew Course’ (PHEMCC) is a world-leading training experience run by the Great North Air Ambulance Service (GNAAS). The PHEMCC provides high-fidelity, scenario-based training for medics to develop skills and knowledge in complex, high-stress pre-hospital emergency environments and comprises life-saving medical care alongside leadership, communication strategy, stress management, and decision making. The PHEMCC runs consecutively for 2 weeks with different activities each day, apart from Days 6 and 7 (weekend). The activities include immersive experiences and high-fidelity simulations in a range of environments with contributions from other emergency services (e.g., police, fire service, mountain rescue), and actors. Week 1 largely comprises the learning and acquisition of skills, while the second week Involves the application of those skills in complex scenarios. The requirements of each day therefore vary depending on their planned activities which differ in terms of their anticipated learning, cognitive, and physical loads.

This project assessed psychobiological functioning during the 2-week, high-fidelity training course, including rest days. Specifically, we assessed the Sympathetic Adrenal Medullary (SAM) axis (heart rate, HRV-derived stress index) and Hypothalamic Pituitary Adrenal (HPA) axis (diurnal cortisol and Cortisol Awakening Response) axes, self-reported anxiety, and anticipated and experienced demands.

Data Collection Process

SAM markers were collected via Garmin smartwatches which were worn continually from 12 days.

Fitrockr Utilization

Fitrockr harvested and returned the smartwatch data in a usable and readable format. 

Wearable Used

Garmin Vivosport

Garmin Vivosmart 5

Number of Participants

28

Duration

6 months

Metrics Collected

Steps

Daily Activity Data

Heart Rate

BBI

HRV

Stress

Actigraphy

Sleep

Fitrockr Sync Type

Sync via Fitrockr app on participant smartphone.

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