Wellness for Firefighters: Moving an Evidence-based Program Online

描述(申请人提供)：消防员的救生工作是有代价的，癌症、心脏病和受伤的风险会增加。我们的目标是为消防部门开发一个高度互动的基于网络/移动应用程序的健康促进/减少伤害计划。其内容将基于PHLAME(促进健康生活方式)计划，这是唯一针对消防员的循证健康计划。我们开发了PHLAME，并在NCI资助下建立了其有效性、耐用性和中介成分。虽然PHLAME是有效的，投资回报很高，但我们发现了大规模实施的重大障碍，包括其基于练习册的格式和同事开会参加课程课程所需的时间。练习册的格式也不符合消防员的学习偏好，因为他们是游戏玩家，经常使用在线训练模拟。拟议的格式将是一项重大进步，将尖端的基于网络的和移动应用程序行为改变技术整合到一个既能吸引个人又能吸引他们的同事群体的平台中。移动应用程序将把该计划扩展到24小时轮班之外。最初的PHLAME会议的同志情谊和相互支持对于行为改变很重要，这一方面将通过在线和移动应用程序战略游戏、竞争和社交关系来保持和加强。我们在在线项目方面很有经验，已经收到了NIDA的资助，开始将我们基于证据的药物预防项目转移到在线上。重要的是，我们正在与一家成熟的创意互联网战略和设计公司合作，该公司在开发和构建原型所需的活动方面经验丰富。最终，拟议的计划将被一个部门采用，并被安置在消防局，以便有联系的同事(消防局的轮班)通过在线活动和社交网络单独参与和ASA团队。来自PHLAME的六项活动将在一个功能齐全的基于网络的原型平台上进行选择、调整和加强，并带有协同移动应用程序。我们将与六个消防员工作组一起评估可用性，他们 将在两周内体验原型。熟悉现有PHLAME计划、没有PHLAME经验的消防员将对可用性、接受度、享受性和感知有效性进行评估。我们将通过与一系列消防服务健康专家和决策者一起审查原型和可用性结果来建立概念验证，他们可以解决整个计划的购买和在部门中的部署。我们与消防部门进行了十年的合作，并得到了他们的国家组织的大力支持。一个广泛的市场等待着一个易于实施的、创新的、基于网络的、移动增强的衍生品，它是唯一被证明可以改善消防员健康和降低医疗保健成本的工作场所健康和安全计划。该格式将特定于消防部门，但该平台一旦开发，将促进职业健康，并可能扩展到其他工人领域。 与公共健康相关：由于消防员的工作危险，他们患癌症、心脏病和受伤的风险很高。然而，唯一被证明对消防员有效的工作场所健康计划是基于工作簿的，它与消防员在繁忙的消防部门最好地学习或很好地适应的方式不匹配。我们将开发一个原型健康计划，从现有的形式进行调整，并进行改进，使其基于网络和移动应用程序，使用游戏、模拟和比赛，可以让消防员单独或作为同事参与；这是制定一个创新计划的第一阶段，以保护那些保护我们和我们社区的人的健康。

DESCRIPTION (provided by applicant): Firefighters' lifesaving work comes at a cost, with increased risk for cancer, heart disease and injuries. We aim to develop a highly interactive web-based/mobile application health promotion/injury reduction program for the fire service. Its content will be based on the PHLAME (Promoting Healthy Lifestyles) program, which is the only evidence-based wellness program for firefighters. We developed PHLAME, and its efficacy, durability and mediating components have been established with NCI-funding. Although PHLAME is effective and has a high return on investment, we have identified significant barriers to wide-scale implementation, including its workbook-based format and the time required for coworkers to meet for curriculum sessions. A workbook format also does not align with firefighters' learning preferences, as they are gamers and frequently use online training simulations. The proposed format will be a major advance and incorporate cutting edge web-based and mobile app behavior change technology in a platform that engages both individuals and their coworker groups. Mobile applications will extend the program beyond their 24-hour work shifts. The camaraderie and mutual support of the original PHLAME meetings was important for behavior change, and that aspect will be maintained and enhanced with online and mobile app strategic gaming, competitions and social connections. We are experience in online programs, having received NIDA-funding to begin to move our evidenced-based drug prevention programs online. Importantly, we are partnering with an established creative internet strategy and design firm, experienced in the activities needed to develop and construct the prototype. Ultimately, the proposed program would be adopted by a department and placed in fire stations, so that bonded coworkers (a shift at a fire station) participate individually and asa team through online activities and social networking. Six activities from PHLAME will be selected, adapted and enhanced in a fully functional prototype web-based platform, with synergistic mobile applications. We will assess usability with six work groups of firefighters, who will experience the prototype for two weeks. Usability, acceptance, enjoyment and perceived effectiveness will be assessed among firefighters familiar with the existing PHLAME program and with no prior PHLAME experience. We will establish proof-of-concept by reviewing the prototype and usability findings with a spectrum of fire service wellness experts and decision makers, who can address the full program's purchase and deployment in departments. We have a decade of collaborative work with the fire service and strong support from their national organizations. An extensive market awaits an easy to implement, innovative web-based and mobile enhanced derivative of the only worksite wellness and safety program proven to improve wellness and reduce health care costs of firefighters. The format will be specific to the fire service, but the platform, once developed will advance occupational wellness and could be extended to other worker domains. PUBLIC HEALTH RELEVANCE: Due to their hazardous work, firefighters are at high risk for cancer, heart disease and injuries. However, the only worksite wellness program proven-effective for firefighters is workbook-based, and it does not match how firefighters best learn or fit well in busy fire departments. We will develop a prototype wellness program, adapted from the existing format and enhanced to make it web and mobile app based, using games, simulations and competitions that can engage firefighters individually and as teams of coworkers; this is the first phase in making an innovative program to protect the health of those who protect us and our communities.