2023. EXPL VR FR

Taking care of those who take care of us! A VR simulation to prevent post-traumatic stress symptoms and to improve the decision-making in first responders.

PI: Ricardo Pinto

Team: Maria Castro

Abstract: First responders (FRs) frequently encounter traumatic events, which can heighten their risk for post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). This research project investigates the impact of PTSD symptoms on emergency decision-making (EDM) by simulating emergency scenarios in virtual reality. We analyzed reaction times and decision accuracy in 368 Portuguese FRs, 23% of whom met PTSD criteria. Our findings indicate that FRs with probable PTSD showed poorer decision-making performance compared to those without PTSD. Specifically, while exposure to traumatic events initially enhanced EDM efficiency, the development of PTSD symptoms led to slower and less accurate decision-making. These results underscore the importance of incorporating trauma-informed strategies to mitigate the adverse effects of PTSD on FRs' job performance.