Consensus on tasks to be included in a return to work assessment for a UK firefighter following an injury: an online Delphi study

Abstract

Objective The aim was to provide a consensus tasks needed to be included in a return to work assessment for operational firefighters. Methods A two round online Delphi study was conducted with twenty-four participants including firefighters, service fitness advisers and occupational health managers. A consensus was set at 70% agreement. In round one, participants completed an online survey relating to tasks to be included during a return to work assessment for firefighters following an injury. Round two was an online consensus meeting to discuss the tasks where consensus was not achieved. Results A consensus was reached for ten of the thirteen tasks, including the number of repetitions required when lifting a light portable pump and climbing a ladder. A consensus was reached for the total distance equipment which should be carried. This included carrying a ladder, a hose and a light portable pump. Conclusions This study has provided a consensus for tasks to be included when assessing a firefighter for return to work. Further research is needed to understand how to use this assessment optimally

Inter-Rater and Intra-Rater Reliability of Return-to-Work Screening Tests for UK Firefighters Following Injury

“…Musculoskeletal injuries can account for one-third of all workplace-related injuries [ 1 , 2 ]. Common causes include overexertion, contact with equipment, slips, trip and falls [ 2 ].…”

“…However, no such test exists to determine if an individual can meet the minimum standards after injury. For example, the physical screening test used for recruitment of firefighters does not include all tasks involved during operational duties, including hose running and ladder carry [ 1 , 16 ]. Instead, UK firefighter selection tests were designed to help identify applicants physically suited to roles within UK fire and rescue services [ 17 ] and then once employed, individuals are trained in more specific tasks related to their firefighting role [ 18 ].…”

“…No research has included athletic populations who are not professional athletes, for example firefighters [ 20 , 21 , 22 , 23 , 24 ]. To start to address this, a recent study provided consensus for the inclusion of tasks to be adopted into a screening test that could be used to assess a firefighter’s readiness to RTW following injury [ 1 ].…”

Psychosocial barriers and facilitators for a successful return to work following injury within firefighters

“…Such high re-injury rates suggest that current processes are suboptimal and the need to understand factors which influence a successful return work. A recent consensus study highlighted the need for a physical return to work assessment for firefighters following an injury, assessing physical parameters including muscular strength and aerobic fitness (Noll et al 2021 ). Physical assessments including hose running, hose carrying, ladder lifting, ladder climbing and casualty evacuation were agreed to be included during a firefighters return to work process (Noll et al 2021 ).…”

“…A recent consensus study highlighted the need for a physical return to work assessment for firefighters following an injury, assessing physical parameters including muscular strength and aerobic fitness (Noll et al 2021 ). Physical assessments including hose running, hose carrying, ladder lifting, ladder climbing and casualty evacuation were agreed to be included during a firefighters return to work process (Noll et al 2021 ). Other factors including social support (Prang et al 2015 ), and psychological factors including fear of re-injury and stress (Hsu et al 2017 ) also need to be considered.…”