Scottish researchers developing ‘pioneering’ tool to boost early detection of trauma in NHS workers

A Scottish university is developing an AI tool to detect early signs of trauma in frontline and emergency medical workers in a bid to build a “culture” of mental health awareness.

Strathclyde University is working with software design company Sentinel on an app to provide evidence-based digital interventions which can be tailored to individual needs.

The app aims to “proactively” engage with frontline workers to “build resilience” and improve post-traumatic growth.

It is understood an alpha version of the app, also named Sentinel, is expected to be released later this year.

The Covid pandemic was a significant blow for the mental health wellbeing of NHS staff, with an estimated 60,000 workers living with PTSD following the pandemic, according to a YouGov survey.

And, currently, more than 13 per cent of healthcare workers in the UK suffer PTSD, according to research by the National Institutes of Health.

Dr Nicola Cogan, who is an academic lead in the project 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.

“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.”

“Staff can no longer be told ‘you signed up for this',” Mykay Kamara, chief executive of Sentinel, said. “There needs to be a duty of care for these employees, not just frontline or clinical staff but people like reception staff at A&E, cleaners who are having to mop up blood, or others experiencing secondary trauma when dealing with patients’ anguish.”

Researchers have said there are conversations in progress with several organisations to carry out pilot trials.

Meanwhile, an Arabic version of Sentinel is also being developed for use in Saudi Arabia with partners of Strathclyde University, including Princess Nourah University and King Abdullah University of Science and Technology.