Exploring First Responders' Use and Perceptions on Continuous Health and Environmental Monitoring

Authors

Jacob Grothe, University of Nebraska Medical Center
Sarah Tucker, University of Nebraska Medical CenterFollow
Anthony Blake, University of Nebraska Medical CenterFollow
Chandran Achutan, University of Nebraska Medical CenterFollow
Sharon J. Medcalf, University of Nebraska Medical CenterFollow
Troy Suwondo, University of Nebraska Medical Center
Ann Fruhling, University of Nebraska at Omaha
Aaron Yoder, University of Nebraska Medical CenterFollow

Document Type

Article

Journal Title

International Journal of Environtal Research and Public Health

Publication Date

2023

Volume

20

Abstract

First responders lose their lives in the line of duty each year, and many of these deaths result from strenuous physical exertion and exposure to harmful environmental agents. Continuous health monitoring may detect diseases and alert the first responder when vital signs are reaching critical levels. However, continuous monitoring must be acceptable to first responders. The purpose of this study was to discover first responders' current use of wearable technology, their perceptions of what health and environmental indicators should be monitored, and who should be permitted to monitor them. The survey was sent to 645 first responders employed by 24 local fire department stations. A total of 115 (17.8%) first responders answered the survey and 112 were used for analysis. Results found first responders perceived a need for health and environmental monitoring. The health and environmental indicators that respondents perceived as most important for monitoring in the field were heart rate (98.2%) and carbon monoxide (100%), respectively. Overall, using and wearing monitoring devices was not age-dependent and health and environmental concerns were important for first responders at any stage of their career. However, current wearable technology does not seem to be a viable solution for first responders due to device expense and durability issues.

MeSH Headings

Humans, Vital Signs, Wearable Electronic Devices, Heart Rate, Environmental Monitoring, Emergency Responders, Monitoring, Physiologic

DOI Link

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.

Recommended Citation

Grothe, Jacob; Tucker, Sarah; Blake, Anthony; Achutan, Chandran; Medcalf, Sharon J.; Suwondo, Troy; Fruhling, Ann; and Yoder, Aaron, "Exploring First Responders' Use and Perceptions on Continuous Health and Environmental Monitoring" (2023). Journal Articles: Epidemiology. 185.
https://digitalcommons.unmc.edu/coph_epidem_articles/185