A case-specific psychological first aid AI recommendations app for rescue and first responders

Background: Psychological First Aid (PFA) is an intervention designed to reduce the initial distress caused by traumatic events. The various types of PFA interventions have gained widespread acceptance in response to mass trauma and domestic violence; however, many first responders are often new to disaster scenes and have limited training and experience in providing PFA.Objective: This article showcases the development of an AI-based chatbot that offers case-specific real-time recommendations in three languages to first responders for implementing PFA in accordance with established PFA models.Method: Prioritizing ethical considerations and expert input, the PFA chatbot is designed for use by first responders, not victims, and offers case-specific guidance by matching user queries with a handcrafted dataset of trauma cases, ensuring alignment with accepted PFA intervention models. Semantic search techniques allow the chatbot to find the closest matching case and adapt the expert-provided response to the specific user query, leveraging few-shot learning to maintain relevance. Finally, a refined prompt engineering process ensures the chatbot's recommendations adhere to the accepted PFA protocols, with ongoing optimization to enhance response accuracy.Results: Response times ranged from five to seven seconds, depending on Wi-Fi conditions. The chatbot provides structured, contextually appropriate PFA interventions, adapting to various traumatic scenarios for adults and children. It aligns with PFA protocols to deliver tailored recommendations that address the specific needs of each case.Conclusion: The PFA chatbot enhances the accessibility and scalability of PFA intervention, offering standardized, case-specific interventions with minimal training. Its AI-driven system supports first responders in providing timely, high-quality care following traumatic events, making it particularly valuable in large-scale disasters. The tool improves outcomes by delivering tailored, practical recommendations based on established PFA protocols. Further research is required to determine the effectiveness of using the PFA chatbot in reducing ASR symptoms.