The University of Strathclyde is developing an AI powered application to identify early signs of trauma in frontline emergency response and medical workers.
It is working with software design company Sentiental on the development of the Sentinel application, which supports evidence based digital interventions for affected workers. This is also contributing to building a culture of awareness of mental health issues in the sectors.
The initiative has come in response to first responders facing a heightened risk of developing traumatic stress-related conditions, owing to their frequent exposure to work related traumas, and the symptoms often remain undiagnosed.
According to the National Institutes of Health, 19.3% of emergency staff have been diagnosed with anxiety and 10.2% with mood disorders. In the UK alone, the prevalence of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) among healthcare workers was 13.52%.
Features and IP
Sentinel’s features include psychoeducation, grounding techniques, sleep therapy, physical exercises, coping strategies, journaling and advanced mood tracking and reporting.
Strathclyde University has provided stage-gate support for the project and has a licence agreement for the intellectual property, negotiated by the industry engagement and commercialisation team.
An alpha version of Sentinel is anticipated for release in 2024, and the university and Sentiental are now in discussions with several organisations on potential partnerships for pilot projects.
Dr Nicola Cogan, chief scientific adviser, and Dr Alison Kirk of Strathclyde’s Department of Psychological Sciences and Health, are the university’s academic leads on the project.
Responders' input
Cogan said: “Our digital solution has been developed with first responders, for first responders, from the initial idea to testing its user validity to piloting the intervention.
“We have conducted in-depth interviews with first responders to help us understand the problem of workplace trauma and the impact it has on first responders and emergency medical workers
“If people are helping others deal with their trauma, they often put their own aside. On average, nine years pass before first responders seek help for trauma. They may think they need to be stoical and cope with everything, but they do need to take care of their own needs as well.”
An Arabic version of Sentinel is being developed for use in Saudi Arabia, with partners of Strathclyde University, including Princess Nourah University and King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST).
