Feedback-Instrument zur Rettungskräfte-Entwicklung (FIRE)

Das Feedback-Instrument zur Rettungskräfte-Entwicklung (FIRE) erfasst die Qualität der Ausbildung von Rettungskräften. Das Instrument basiert auf qualitativen Analysen zu Merkmalen einer guten Ausbildung im Bereich Rettungswesen. Die auf Basis dieser Merkmale zusammengestellten Items wurden in zwei Studien am Institut der Feuerwehr Nordrhein-Westfalen (IdF NRW) hinsichtlich Relevanz und Verständlichkeit geprüft. Mithilfe einer explorativen Faktorenanalyse konnte das Instrument auf 21 Items reduziert und die Faktoren Dozentenverhalten, Anforderungsniveau, Struktur und Gruppe auf Ebene der Lernprozesse sowie die Faktoren Kompetenzerwerb und Transfer auf Ebene der Lernoutcomes identifiziert werden. Das Instrument wurde mithilfe von Lehrgangsteilnehmenden am IdF NRW validiert. Eine konfirmatorische Faktorenanalyse konnte die Faktorstruktur bestätigen; die Skalen zeigen eine akzeptable bis gute interne Konsistenz und es liegen eindeutige Hinweise auf Konstrukt- und Kriteriumsvalidität vor.The Feedback Instrument for Rescue Force Development (FIRE) measures the quality of the training of rescue forces. The instrument is based on qualitative analyses of characteristics of good training in the field of rescue. The items compiled on the basis of these characteristics were tested for relevance and comprehensibility in two studies at the Institute of the North Rhine-Westphalia Fire Brigade (IdF NRW). With the help of an explorative factor analysis the instrument could be reduced to 21 items and the factors lecturer behaviour, requirement level, structure and group at the level of learning processes as well as the factors acquisition of competence and transfer at the level of learning outcomes could be identified. The instrument was validated with the help of course participants at the IdF NRW. A confirmatory factor analysis was able to confirm the factor structure; the scales show an acceptable to good internal consistency and there are clear indications of construct and criterion validity

The best COVID-19 predictor is recent smell loss: a cross-sectional study

Background: COVID-19 has heterogeneous manifestations, though one of the most common symptoms is a sudden loss of smell (anosmia or hyposmia). We investigated whether olfactory loss is a reliable predictor of COVID-19. Methods: This preregistered, cross-sectional study used a crowdsourced questionnaire in 23 languages to assess symptoms in individuals self-reporting recent respiratory illness. We quantified changes in chemosensory abilities during the course of the respiratory illness using 0-100 visual analog scales (VAS) for participants reporting a positive (C19+; n=4148) or negative (C19-; n=546) COVID-19 laboratory test outcome. Logistic regression models identified singular and cumulative predictors of COVID-19 status and post-COVID-19 olfactory recovery. Results: Both C19+ and C19- groups exhibited smell loss, but it was significantly larger in C19+ participants (mean±SD, C19+: -82.5±27.2 points; C19-: -59.8±37.7). Smell loss during illness was the best predictor of COVID-19 in both single and cumulative feature models (ROC AUC=0.72), with additional features providing no significant model improvement. VAS ratings of smell loss were more predictive than binary chemosensory yes/no-questions or other cardinal symptoms, such as fever or cough. Olfactory recovery within 40 days was reported for ~50% of participants and was best predicted by time since illness onset. Conclusions: As smell loss is the best predictor of COVID-19, we developed the ODoR-19 tool, a 0-10 scale to screen for recent olfactory loss. Numeric ratings ≤2 indicate high odds of symptomatic COVID-19 (10<OR<4), especially when viral lab tests are impractical or unavailable