Games for health & mHealth apps for police & blue light personnel: A research review

Previous research has reported adverse health outcomes for emergency services personnel (ESP), outcomes that research more broadly has shown can be improved using a gamification and mobile health (mhealth) apps approach. We conducted a review of research on gamification and mhealth apps for ESP that had been published in the last 19 years using 6 major research databases. The results demonstrated that virtually no relevant research has been published, suggesting a significant gap in the evidence base of an approach that could potentially have significant benefits for the health of ESP.

Improving motivation for self-directed training in Danish EMS personnel

Background: Emergency Medical Services personnel's motivation to carry out self-directed training might be impaired by several factors such as work environment, pressures and training facilities. The aim of this study was to evaluate whether easy access to local training facilities would improve individual motivation for self-directed training. Methods: A before-and-after study of 118 Danish personnel was conducted. Participants were asked to complete two identical questionnaires, exploring their motivation and training efforts, before and after initiatives to promote training were introduced. Results: Response rates were 69 and 77, respectively. Motivation for self-directed training increased, on a scale from 1–10, from 5.6 to 6.7. The rating of opportunities to perform self-directed training increased from 4.1 to 5.9 and the rating of the training facilities from 3.7 to 6.3. The frequency of training sessions completed increased (every shift n=6 to 12, every second-to-third shift n=29 to 37). Conclusion: The increase in ratings regarding motivation and effort for carrying out self-directed training suggests that easily accessible training facilities improves individual motivation for self-directed training in emergency services personnel.

Keeping military in mind: The Royal Australian & New Zealand College of Psychiatrists’ Military and Veterans’ Mental Health Network

Objective: The objective of this study is to introduce The Royal Australian & New Zealand College of Psychiatrists (RANZCP) Military and Veterans’ Mental Health Network (The Network) and profile its inaugural members. Methods: We implemented an online survey of demographic, professional and practice characteristics of network members; self-rated knowledge of military and veterans’ mental health; reasons for joining The Network; and suggestions as to how The Network could best support members’ needs. Quantitative survey responses were analysed descriptively. Qualitative responses were analysed thematically. Results: Thirty-two out of 60 network members returned the survey. The membership was predominately male and 50 years of age or older. One-half had completed their fellowship or specialty 20 or more years ago. A high level of self-rated knowledge with respect to the assessment and management of current and ex-serving military personnel was reported. Knowledge of the assessment and management of current and ex-serving emergency services personnel was lower. Conclusion: There are RANZCP members with an active interest, expertise and knowledge in the field of military, veterans’ and emergency services personnel mental health; this affirms the significant role the RANZCP can play in this area. There is a need to expand, diversify and ensure sustainability of the workforce.