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Nicola T Fear - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.
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hazardous alcohol consumption among spouses or partners of military Service Personnel a systematic review of the literature
Journal of the Royal Army Medical Corps, 2018Co-Authors: Rachael Gribble, Gursimran Thandi, Laura Goodwin, Nicola T FearAbstract:Background Alcohol misuse is particularly high among both the UK and US Armed Forces. As alcohol use among couples is associated, military spouses or partners may therefore be at a higher risk of acquiring hazardous drinking behaviours than people in relationships with other occupational groups. Method A literature review using a systematic approach was undertaken in four medical databases and supplemented with hand searches of specialist publications and reference lists. The prevalence of hazardous alcohol consumption among military spouses or partners was estimated and potential sociodemographic and military factors associated with this outcome were identified. Results Nine papers met inclusion criteria, of which eight focused on female spouses or partners only. The limited evidence suggests hazardous alcohol consumption was not a common outcome among spouses or partners. None of the papers statistically compared the prevalence among spouses or partners to estimates from the general population and few reported associations with sociodemographic or military factors. Deployment abroad did not appear to be significantly associated with hazardous consumption, although increasing periods of separation from Service Personnel may be associated with increased hazardous consumption among spouses or partners. Conclusion Limited evidence was found concerning the prevalence of hazardous alcohol consumption among military spouses or partners or which sociodemographic and military factors might be associated with this outcome. The a dominance of US studies means applying the estimates of these outcomes to other nations must be undertaken with care due to differences in cultural attitudes to alcohol as well as differences between military structure and operations between the US and other nations.
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support needs and experiences of family members of wounded injured or sick uk Service Personnel
Journal of the Royal Army Medical Corps, 2017Co-Authors: Anna Verey, Mary Keeling, Gursimran Thandi, Sharon Stevelink, Nicola T FearAbstract:Introduction When a Service person has been wounded, injured or sick (WIS), family members may provide care during their recovery in an unpaid capacity. This may occur in diverse environments including hospitals, inpatient rehabilitation centres, in the community and at home. Method Thirty-seven family members of WIS Personnel were interviewed regarding their support needs, family relationships and use of UK support Services. Semistructured, in-depth telephone interviews were used, with data analysis undertaken using a thematic approach. Results ‘Family member involvement’ was the main theme under which four subthemes were situated: ‘continuity of support’, ‘proactive signposting and initiating contact’, ‘psychoeducation and counselling’ and ‘higher risk groups’. Family members felt they might benefit from direct, consistent and continuous care regardless of the WIS person’s injury or engagement type, and whether the WIS person was being treated in a hospital, rehabilitative centre or at home. Conclusion The findings of this study suggest that family members of WIS Personnel value proactive, direct and sustained communication from support Service providers. We suggest that families of UK Service Personnel may benefit from family care coordinators, who could provide continuous and consistent care to family members of WIS Personnel.
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uk support Services for families of wounded injured or sick Service Personnel the need for evaluation
Journal of the Royal Army Medical Corps, 2016Co-Authors: Anna Verey, Mary Keeling, Gursimran Thandi, Sharon Stevelink, Nicola T FearAbstract:Concerns have been raised about the level of support available to those families who provide unpaid care for wounded, injured or sick (WIS) Personnel in the UK. In this opinion piece, support Services for families of WIS Personnel in the UK and their associated evaluations are reviewed. Support Services are found to be provided by government-led initiatives, third sector organisations and the Service Family Federations. A minority of interventions for families of WIS Personnel in the UK have been evaluated and a culture of Service evaluation is encouraged within the field.
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psychosocial impact of visual impairment and coping strategies in female ex Service Personnel
Journal of the Royal Army Medical Corps, 2016Co-Authors: Sharon Stevelink, Nicola T FearAbstract:Purpose To examine how vision loss affects the psychosocial well-being of female ex-Service Personnel and how they cope with their visual impairment. Method A cross-sectional study was conducted consisting of two study phases. During phase 1, a questionnaire was undertaken via the telephone with nine female ex-Service Personnel (all under 55 years of age) using clinical screening measures to identify the probable presence of the following mental health disorders: depression (Patient Health Questionnaire-9), anxiety (Generalised Anxiety Disorder Assessment), post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD, PTSD Checklist—Civilian) and alcohol misuse (Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test). In phase 2, eight of the participants were interviewed face to face regarding the impact being visually impaired had had on their daily lives. Results Approximately 1 in 10 women screened positive for probable depression, probable PTSD or alcohol misuse; 1 in 5 fulfilled the criteria for probable anxiety disorder. Participants struggled to adjust to the loss of vision and its impact on their lives. They reported low self-esteem, feeling down and social withdrawal. As time went by, the women were able to apply various coping strategies such as having a positive attitude, relearning skills and integrating low vision aids in their daily routine. However, some coping strategies, such as alcohol misuse and lack of help-seeking when needed, hindered participants’ success in adjusting to their visual impairment. Conclusions Sustaining a visual impairment negatively affects psychosocial well-being in female ex-Service Personnel. Over time, participants learnt to cope with the challenges and limitations associated with being visually impaired.
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visual impairment coping strategies and impact on daily life a qualitative study among working age uk ex Service Personnel
BMC Public Health, 2015Co-Authors: Sharon Stevelink, Estelle Malcolm, Nicola T FearAbstract:Sustaining a visual impairment may have a substantial impact on various life domains such as work, interpersonal relations, mobility and social and mental well-being. How to adjust to the loss of vision and its consequences might be a challenge for the visually impaired person. The purpose of the current study was to explore how younger male ex-Service Personnel cope with becoming visually impaired and how this affects their daily life. Semi-structured interviews with 30 visually impaired male ex-Service Personnel, all under the age of 55, were conducted. All participants are members of the charity organisation Blind Veterans UK. Interviews were analysed thematically. Younger ex-Service Personnel applied a number of different strategies to overcome their loss of vision and its associated consequences. Coping strategies varied from learning new skills, goal setting, integrating the use of low vision aids in their daily routine, to social withdrawal and substance misuse. Vision loss affected on all aspects of daily life and ex-Service Personnel experienced an on-going struggle to accept and adjust to becoming visually impaired. Health care professionals, family and friends of the person with the visual impairment need to be aware that coping with a visual impairment is a continuous struggle; even after a considerable amount of time has passed, needs for emotional, social, practical and physical support may still be present.
Victoria L Richmond - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.
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physical employment standards for uk fire and rescue Service Personnel
Occupational Medicine, 2016Co-Authors: Sam D Blacker, Mark P Rayson, David Wilkinson, James M Carter, Alan M Nevill, Victoria L RichmondAbstract:Background Evidence-based physical employment standards are vital for recruiting, training and maintaining the operational effectiveness of Personnel in physically demanding occupations. Aims (1) Develop criterion tests for in-Service physical assessment, which simulate the role- related physical demands of UK Fire and Rescue Service (UK FRS) Personnel. (2) Develop practical physical selection tests for FRS applicants. (3) Evaluate the validity of the selection tests to predict criterion test performance. Methods Stage 1: We conducted a physical demands analysis involving seven workshops and an expert panel to document the key physical tasks required of UK FRS Personnel and to develop ‘criterion’ and ‘selection’ tests. Stage 2: We measured the performance of 137 trainee and 50 trained UK FRS Personnel on selection, criterion and ‘field’ measures of aerobic power, strength and body size. Statistical models were developed to predict criterion test performance. Stage 3: Subject matter experts derived minimum performance standards. Results We developed single person simulations of the key physical tasks required of UK FRS Personnel as criterion and selection tests (Rural Fire, Domestic Fire, Ladder Lift, Ladder Extension, Ladder Climb, Pump Assembly, Enclosed Space Search). Selection tests were marginally stronger predictors of criterion test performance (r=0.88–0.94, 95 % Limits of Agreement [LoA] 7.6–14.0 %) than field test scores (r=0.84–0.94, 95 % LoA 8.0–19.8 %) and offered greater face and content validity and more practical implementation. Conclusions This study outlines the development of role-related, gender-free physical employment tests for the UK FRS, which conform to equal opportunities law.
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insulated skin temperature as a measure of core body temperature for individuals wearing cbrn protective clothing
Physiological Measurement, 2013Co-Authors: Victoria L Richmond, Sam D Blacker, David Wilkinson, James M Carter, Fleur E Horner, George Havenith, Mark P RaysonAbstract:This study assessed the validity of insulated skin temperature (Tis) to predict rectal temperature (Tre) for use as a non-invasive measurement of thermal strain to reduce the risk of heat illness for emergency Service Personnel. Volunteers from the Police, Fire and Rescue, and Ambulance Services performed role-related tasks in hot (30 °C) and neutral (18 °C) conditions, wearing Service specific personal protective equipment. Insulated skin temperature and micro climate temperature (Tmc) predicted Tre with an adjusted r2 = 0.87 and standard error of the estimate (SEE) of 0.19 °C. A bootstrap validation of the equation resulted in an adjusted r2 = 0.85 and SEE = 0.20 °C. Taking into account the 0.20 °C error, the prediction of Tre resulted in a sensitivity and specificity of 100% and 91%, respectively. Insulated skin temperature and Tmc can be used in a model to predict Tre in emergency Service Personnel wearing CBRN protective clothing with an SEE of 0.2 °C. However, the model is only valid for Tis over 36.5 °C, above which thermal stability is reached between the core and the skin.
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insulated skin temperature as a measure of core body temperature for individuals wearing cbrn protective clothing
Physiological Measurement, 2013Co-Authors: Victoria L Richmond, Sam D Blacker, David Wilkinson, James M Carter, Fleur E Horner, George Havenith, Mark P RaysonAbstract:This study assessed the validity of insulated skin temperature (Tis) to predict rectal temperature (Tre) for use as a non-invasive measurement of thermal strain to reduce the risk of heat illness for emergency Service Personnel. Volunteers from the Police, Fire and Rescue, and Ambulance Services performed role-related tasks in hot (30 °C) and neutral (18 °C) conditions, wearing Service specific personal protective equipment. Insulated skin temperature and micro climate temperature (Tmc) predicted Tre with an adjusted r2 = 0.87 and standard error of the estimate (SEE) of 0.19 °C. A bootstrap validation of the equation resulted in an adjusted r2 = 0.85 and SEE = 0.20 °C. Taking into account the 0.20 °C error, the prediction of Tre resulted in a sensitivity and specificity of 100% and 91%, respectively. Insulated skin temperature and Tmc can be used in a model to predict Tre in emergency Service Personnel wearing CBRN protective clothing with an SEE of 0.2 °C. However, the model is only valid for Tis over 36.5 °C, above which thermal stability is reached between the core and the skin.
Sharon Stevelink - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.
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support needs and experiences of family members of wounded injured or sick uk Service Personnel
Journal of the Royal Army Medical Corps, 2017Co-Authors: Anna Verey, Mary Keeling, Gursimran Thandi, Sharon Stevelink, Nicola T FearAbstract:Introduction When a Service person has been wounded, injured or sick (WIS), family members may provide care during their recovery in an unpaid capacity. This may occur in diverse environments including hospitals, inpatient rehabilitation centres, in the community and at home. Method Thirty-seven family members of WIS Personnel were interviewed regarding their support needs, family relationships and use of UK support Services. Semistructured, in-depth telephone interviews were used, with data analysis undertaken using a thematic approach. Results ‘Family member involvement’ was the main theme under which four subthemes were situated: ‘continuity of support’, ‘proactive signposting and initiating contact’, ‘psychoeducation and counselling’ and ‘higher risk groups’. Family members felt they might benefit from direct, consistent and continuous care regardless of the WIS person’s injury or engagement type, and whether the WIS person was being treated in a hospital, rehabilitative centre or at home. Conclusion The findings of this study suggest that family members of WIS Personnel value proactive, direct and sustained communication from support Service providers. We suggest that families of UK Service Personnel may benefit from family care coordinators, who could provide continuous and consistent care to family members of WIS Personnel.
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uk support Services for families of wounded injured or sick Service Personnel the need for evaluation
Journal of the Royal Army Medical Corps, 2016Co-Authors: Anna Verey, Mary Keeling, Gursimran Thandi, Sharon Stevelink, Nicola T FearAbstract:Concerns have been raised about the level of support available to those families who provide unpaid care for wounded, injured or sick (WIS) Personnel in the UK. In this opinion piece, support Services for families of WIS Personnel in the UK and their associated evaluations are reviewed. Support Services are found to be provided by government-led initiatives, third sector organisations and the Service Family Federations. A minority of interventions for families of WIS Personnel in the UK have been evaluated and a culture of Service evaluation is encouraged within the field.
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psychosocial impact of visual impairment and coping strategies in female ex Service Personnel
Journal of the Royal Army Medical Corps, 2016Co-Authors: Sharon Stevelink, Nicola T FearAbstract:Purpose To examine how vision loss affects the psychosocial well-being of female ex-Service Personnel and how they cope with their visual impairment. Method A cross-sectional study was conducted consisting of two study phases. During phase 1, a questionnaire was undertaken via the telephone with nine female ex-Service Personnel (all under 55 years of age) using clinical screening measures to identify the probable presence of the following mental health disorders: depression (Patient Health Questionnaire-9), anxiety (Generalised Anxiety Disorder Assessment), post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD, PTSD Checklist—Civilian) and alcohol misuse (Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test). In phase 2, eight of the participants were interviewed face to face regarding the impact being visually impaired had had on their daily lives. Results Approximately 1 in 10 women screened positive for probable depression, probable PTSD or alcohol misuse; 1 in 5 fulfilled the criteria for probable anxiety disorder. Participants struggled to adjust to the loss of vision and its impact on their lives. They reported low self-esteem, feeling down and social withdrawal. As time went by, the women were able to apply various coping strategies such as having a positive attitude, relearning skills and integrating low vision aids in their daily routine. However, some coping strategies, such as alcohol misuse and lack of help-seeking when needed, hindered participants’ success in adjusting to their visual impairment. Conclusions Sustaining a visual impairment negatively affects psychosocial well-being in female ex-Service Personnel. Over time, participants learnt to cope with the challenges and limitations associated with being visually impaired.
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visual impairment coping strategies and impact on daily life a qualitative study among working age uk ex Service Personnel
BMC Public Health, 2015Co-Authors: Sharon Stevelink, Estelle Malcolm, Nicola T FearAbstract:Sustaining a visual impairment may have a substantial impact on various life domains such as work, interpersonal relations, mobility and social and mental well-being. How to adjust to the loss of vision and its consequences might be a challenge for the visually impaired person. The purpose of the current study was to explore how younger male ex-Service Personnel cope with becoming visually impaired and how this affects their daily life. Semi-structured interviews with 30 visually impaired male ex-Service Personnel, all under the age of 55, were conducted. All participants are members of the charity organisation Blind Veterans UK. Interviews were analysed thematically. Younger ex-Service Personnel applied a number of different strategies to overcome their loss of vision and its associated consequences. Coping strategies varied from learning new skills, goal setting, integrating the use of low vision aids in their daily routine, to social withdrawal and substance misuse. Vision loss affected on all aspects of daily life and ex-Service Personnel experienced an on-going struggle to accept and adjust to becoming visually impaired. Health care professionals, family and friends of the person with the visual impairment need to be aware that coping with a visual impairment is a continuous struggle; even after a considerable amount of time has passed, needs for emotional, social, practical and physical support may still be present.
Simon Wessely - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.
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chilcot physical and mental legacy of iraq war on uk Service Personnel
BMJ, 2016Co-Authors: Neil Greenberg, Anthony M J Bull, Simon WesselyAbstract:Long term consequences remain unknown, particularly for “unexpected survivors” The much awaited Chilcot report focused on the legitimacy of the UK going to war in Iraq.1 But the UK citizens most directly affected by the war were members of the armed forces and their families. A total of 179 British Service Personnel were killed in the conflict, and many more received life changing physical and mental injuries. The Ministry Of Defence reports a total of 5970 casualties, including deaths up to July 2009.2 In April 2003 the UK Ministry of Defence commissioned an independent study of the health and wellbeing of Iraq war veterans (Chilcot, 16.2, 58-). This study, now completing its third wave of data collection, compared military Personnel who had or had not been to Iraq, and found no new “Iraq war syndrome”3; no significant increase in probable post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) or common mental health disorders; and only a modest increase in …
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are you a veteran understanding of the term veteran among uk ex Service Personnel a research note
Armed Forces & Society, 2013Co-Authors: Howard Burdett, Charlotte Woodhead, Amy Iversen, Simon Wessely, Christopher Dandeker, Nicola T FearAbstract:Different countries have varying definitions of the word “veteran,” which in turn influence the benefits that ex-Service Personnel receive. However, public opinion does not necessarily reflect official definitions. This article seeks to identify whether characteristics by which UK ex-Service Personnel self-identify as veterans are aligned with official policy/public opinion, and which factors are associated with self-identification as a veteran. This article utilizes data from a structured telephone interview survey of UK Armed Forces Personnel. All those who had left the military by the time of interview (n = 202) were asked whether they considered themselves to be a veteran. Their responses were recorded and analyzed. Only half of the sample considered themselves to be veterans. Definitions used by UK ex-Service Personnel do not align with the official UK government definition or public perceptions of “veterans,” which tend to focus on older veterans and/or those who served in both World Wars.
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what explains post traumatic stress disorder ptsd in uk Service Personnel deployment or something else
Psychological Medicine, 2013Co-Authors: Martyn Jones, Nicola T Fear, Simon Wessely, Lisa Hull, Laura Goodwin, Josefin Sundin, Roberto J RonaAbstract:BACKGROUND: In previous studies an association between deployment to Iraq or Afghanistan and an overall increased risk for post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) in UK armed forces has not been found. The lack of a deployment effect might be explained by including, in the comparison group, Personnel deployed on other operations or who have experienced traumatic stressors unrelated to deployment. METHODS: The sample comprised 8261 regular UK armed forces Personnel who deployed to Iraq, Afghanistan or other operational areas or were not deployed. Participants completed the PTSD CheckList - Civilian Version (PCL-C) and provided information about deployment history, demographic and Service factors, serious accidents and childhood experiences. RESULTS: Deployment to Iraq or Afghanistan [odds ratio (OR) 1.2, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.6-2.2] or elsewhere (OR 1.1, 95% CI 0.6-2.0) was unrelated to PTSD although holding a combat role was associated with PTSD if deployed to Iraq or Afghanistan (OR 2.7, 95% CI 1.9-3.9). Childhood adversity (OR 3.3, 95% CI 2.1-5.0), having left Service (OR 2.7, 95% CI 1.9-4.0) and serious accident (OR 2.1, 95% CI 1.4-3.0) were associated with PTSD whereas higher rank was protective (OR 0.3, 95% CI 0.12-0.76). CONCLUSIONS: For the majority of UK armed forces Personnel, deployment whether to Iraq, Afghanistan or elsewhere confers no greater risk for PTSD than Service in the armed forces per se but holding a combat role in those deployed to Iraq or Afghanistan is associated with PTSD. Vulnerability factors such as lower rank, childhood adversity and leaving Service, and having had a serious accident, may be at least as important as holding a combat role in predicting PTSD in UK armed forces Personnel. Language: en
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help seeking and receipt of treatment among uk Service Personnel
British Journal of Psychiatry, 2010Co-Authors: Amy Iversen, Simon Wessely, Neil Greenberg, Matthew Hotopf, Lauren Van Staden, Jamie Hacker Hughes, Tess Browne, Roberto J Rona, Graham Thornicroft, Nicola T FearAbstract:Background For armed forces Personnel, data on help-seeking behaviour and receipt of treatment for mental disorders are important for both research and policy. Aims To examine mental healthcare Service use and receipt of treatment in a sample of the UK military. Method Participants were drawn from an existing UK military health cohort. The sample was stratified by reserve status and by participation in the main war-fighting period of the Iraq War. Participants completed a telephone-based structured diagnostic interview comprising the Patient Health Questionnaire and Primary Care Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder Screen (PC–PTSD), and a series of questions about Service utilisation and treatment receipt. Results Only 23% of those with common mental disorders and still serving in the military were receiving any form of medical professional help. Non-medical sources of help such as chaplains were more widely used. Among regular Personnel in receipt of professional help, most were seen in primary care (79%) and the most common treatment was medication or counselling/psychotherapy. Few regular Personnel were receiving cognitive–behavioural therapy (CBT). These findings are comparable with those reported for the general population. Conclusions In the UK armed forces, the majority of those with mental disorders are not currently seeking medical help for their symptoms. Further work to understand barriers to care is important and timely given that this is a group at risk of occupational psychiatric injury.
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early accounts of gulf war illness and the construction of narratives in uk Service Personnel
Social Science & Medicine, 2008Co-Authors: Simon Cohn, Clare Dyson, Simon WesselyAbstract:"Gulf War Syndrome" has become firmly established in public and political discourse, and considerable numbers of veterans of the 1991 Gulf war now see it as part of their identity. In this paper we draw on open-ended questionnaire data drawn from a large, random sample of UK Gulf veterans, collected in 1996 and 1997. Whilst there is already some literature focussing on coherent personal narratives of some veterans and campaigners, we suggest that they are preceded by much more fragmentary, shared accounts. We take the idea of rumour as a way of encapsulating how these partial ideas swiftly gained value by reflecting and reproducing social ties. Accounts describing fears about this mystery condition simultaneously made reference to concerns about their role as a soldier, about the purpose of the conflict, and rising mistrust of their commanders. As doubt over soldiers' function increased, informal social networks became increasingly significant, perhaps also linked to an erosion of respect for formal military hierarchy. At the same time, rumours of "Gulf War Syndrome" began to circulate, reinforcing the idea that the cause was elusive, and invisible, whilst undermining both the unity of the military force and the individual soldier's body. We suggest that the nature of Gulf War Syndrome as a topic of contestation in the years after the conflict was keenly shaped by these early rumours, which entangled specific ideas of the illness with feelings of betrayal, distrust and ambiguity. Informed by the general literature on illness narratives, we explore how the transmission of ideas and causal theories were themselves instrumental in the emergence of the condition as it was experienced.
Mark P Rayson - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.
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physical employment standards for uk fire and rescue Service Personnel
Occupational Medicine, 2016Co-Authors: Sam D Blacker, Mark P Rayson, David Wilkinson, James M Carter, Alan M Nevill, Victoria L RichmondAbstract:Background Evidence-based physical employment standards are vital for recruiting, training and maintaining the operational effectiveness of Personnel in physically demanding occupations. Aims (1) Develop criterion tests for in-Service physical assessment, which simulate the role- related physical demands of UK Fire and Rescue Service (UK FRS) Personnel. (2) Develop practical physical selection tests for FRS applicants. (3) Evaluate the validity of the selection tests to predict criterion test performance. Methods Stage 1: We conducted a physical demands analysis involving seven workshops and an expert panel to document the key physical tasks required of UK FRS Personnel and to develop ‘criterion’ and ‘selection’ tests. Stage 2: We measured the performance of 137 trainee and 50 trained UK FRS Personnel on selection, criterion and ‘field’ measures of aerobic power, strength and body size. Statistical models were developed to predict criterion test performance. Stage 3: Subject matter experts derived minimum performance standards. Results We developed single person simulations of the key physical tasks required of UK FRS Personnel as criterion and selection tests (Rural Fire, Domestic Fire, Ladder Lift, Ladder Extension, Ladder Climb, Pump Assembly, Enclosed Space Search). Selection tests were marginally stronger predictors of criterion test performance (r=0.88–0.94, 95 % Limits of Agreement [LoA] 7.6–14.0 %) than field test scores (r=0.84–0.94, 95 % LoA 8.0–19.8 %) and offered greater face and content validity and more practical implementation. Conclusions This study outlines the development of role-related, gender-free physical employment tests for the UK FRS, which conform to equal opportunities law.
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insulated skin temperature as a measure of core body temperature for individuals wearing cbrn protective clothing
Physiological Measurement, 2013Co-Authors: Victoria L Richmond, Sam D Blacker, David Wilkinson, James M Carter, Fleur E Horner, George Havenith, Mark P RaysonAbstract:This study assessed the validity of insulated skin temperature (Tis) to predict rectal temperature (Tre) for use as a non-invasive measurement of thermal strain to reduce the risk of heat illness for emergency Service Personnel. Volunteers from the Police, Fire and Rescue, and Ambulance Services performed role-related tasks in hot (30 °C) and neutral (18 °C) conditions, wearing Service specific personal protective equipment. Insulated skin temperature and micro climate temperature (Tmc) predicted Tre with an adjusted r2 = 0.87 and standard error of the estimate (SEE) of 0.19 °C. A bootstrap validation of the equation resulted in an adjusted r2 = 0.85 and SEE = 0.20 °C. Taking into account the 0.20 °C error, the prediction of Tre resulted in a sensitivity and specificity of 100% and 91%, respectively. Insulated skin temperature and Tmc can be used in a model to predict Tre in emergency Service Personnel wearing CBRN protective clothing with an SEE of 0.2 °C. However, the model is only valid for Tis over 36.5 °C, above which thermal stability is reached between the core and the skin.
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insulated skin temperature as a measure of core body temperature for individuals wearing cbrn protective clothing
Physiological Measurement, 2013Co-Authors: Victoria L Richmond, Sam D Blacker, David Wilkinson, James M Carter, Fleur E Horner, George Havenith, Mark P RaysonAbstract:This study assessed the validity of insulated skin temperature (Tis) to predict rectal temperature (Tre) for use as a non-invasive measurement of thermal strain to reduce the risk of heat illness for emergency Service Personnel. Volunteers from the Police, Fire and Rescue, and Ambulance Services performed role-related tasks in hot (30 °C) and neutral (18 °C) conditions, wearing Service specific personal protective equipment. Insulated skin temperature and micro climate temperature (Tmc) predicted Tre with an adjusted r2 = 0.87 and standard error of the estimate (SEE) of 0.19 °C. A bootstrap validation of the equation resulted in an adjusted r2 = 0.85 and SEE = 0.20 °C. Taking into account the 0.20 °C error, the prediction of Tre resulted in a sensitivity and specificity of 100% and 91%, respectively. Insulated skin temperature and Tmc can be used in a model to predict Tre in emergency Service Personnel wearing CBRN protective clothing with an SEE of 0.2 °C. However, the model is only valid for Tis over 36.5 °C, above which thermal stability is reached between the core and the skin.
