SIPAPSI: A Software for Psychological First Aid Evaluation

AZZOLLINI, S.C.; COSENTINO, A.C.; DEPAULA, P.D.; BAIL PUPKO, V.; PIÑEYRO, D.R.; BECERRA, L.; VIDAL, V.A.; CASTILLO, S.E.

Tel Aviv

Conferencia; IPRED V, 5th Internacional Conference on Preparedness & Response to Emergencies & Disasters; 2018

Ministry of Health

IntroductionPsychological First Aid (PFA) is a set of guidelines to help victims of disasters in a humane and proper way. We use a PFA protocol adapted to the Argentine culture it is in line with the guidelines for victim help proposed by the World Health Organization (2011) and by Farchi's 6C Model (2012, 2013; Farchi & Hantman, 2013). We developed a software to test PFA performance and to measure several psychological variables.MethodsFirst, a script was developed. It included 10 protocol steps ordered in a successive way. Each of the 10 steps comprises 4 victim-helper interaction variants (only one is correct). Second, the 40 scenes were recorded. A green background was included in the recorded scenes to contextualize the victim-helper interaction with different scenarios in a post-production stage. Third, the videos were included in a software. The software registers the number of correct answers, reaction time, number of video review, etc. The evaluation of psychological variables was also included. The software is accessed through web browsers.ResultsThe result was an internet and intranet accessible software to test the interactions with disaster victims, called SIPAPSI (Psychological First Aid Interactive System; Sistema Interactivo de Primera Ayuda Psicológica, in Spanish). SIPAPSI was validated by expert judgment.ConclusionsSIPAPSI is validated user-friendly software designed for a rapid assessment of the reactions to a disaster victim. It measures several variables to find a psychological profile associated with correct performances in PFA. SIPAPSI is appropriated for the general population and for first responder population.