Relationship Between Health Risk and Occupational Exposure of ED

Establishing a Sub Cohort for Relationship Between Health Risk and Occupational Exposure of Emergency Medical Workers

This study established a sub-cohort of emergency medical workers, for the development of health care and disease prevention solution, by identifying epidemiological characteristics and factors related to occupational exposure. Each life-log or environment-log data will be collected by wearable device (e.g. smart-watch) and IoT (e.g. Edge-box). From collected data, relationship between health risks and occupational exposure of emergency medical workers will be determined.

Background : In South Korea, incidence of medical emergency is increasing, and 10 million people are using emergency medical services annually. Emergency medical services, which are directly related to the lives of the people, are essential, but medical staffs engaged in the department are reported to be at high risk due to health-related problems and poor working conditions. Although their general health status is confirmed through periodical health screening, there is a lack of research regarding each really individual health problems.

Objective : This study aims to establish a sub-cohort research system of emergency medical workers to develop disease prevention and health management solutions by identifying relationship between health risk and occupational exposure.

Design : Prospective Observational Cohort Study

Setting : In the Department of Emergency in 5 medical institutions

Enrollment : To be recruited by invitation from the prior cohort (NCT04883684) that consist of 105 doctors or nurses

Data Collection-1 : Life-log data collection by wearable device (smart watch) Participants wear smart watch freely during 12 months. Participants are recommended to wear a watch for at least 10 hours or more a day, and informed it must be worn during work and sleep, while this study assumes wearing a watch without any special intervention in daily life. Participants should access the watch app to transmit the saved data in watch, 2 times a week (Monday and Thursday)

Data Collection-2 : Environment-log data collection by edge-box (TDS Mfepc-4C2R) Among the five institutions where the participants works, Samsung Medical Center collects and manages data by installing 4 edge boxes in emergency medical centers to measure air quality.

Inclusion Criteria:

• An Emergency Medical Worker (doctor, nurse) subject recruited from prior cohort construction studies.
• An adult aged 18 or older, who voluntarily agrees and signs.
• A subject who has not experienced occupational disease or damage within four weeks from the time of establishing a sub-cohort.

Exclusion Criteria:

• An subject who was recruited from prior cohort construction studies, but withdraws the agrees at the time of establishing a sub-cohort
• A subject who does not agree to participate in this study or withdraw the consent after agreement.
• A subject who is not engaged in work, such as leave of absence.
• A subject who has experienced occupational disease or damage within four weeks from the time of establishing a sub-cohort.
• A subject who is legally unable to participate in clinical research or unable to participate in clinical research at the discretion of the investigator.