Exploring Climate Change’s Impact on the Cardiopulmonary Health of Adults Living in the Canton of Valais, Switzerland: Protocol for a Development and Usability Pilot Study

TL;DR

This study investigates how climate change affects cardiopulmonary health in Valais, Switzerland, and explores patient awareness and knowledge of these health impacts.

Contribution

The study introduces a mixed-methods pilot protocol to assess the feasibility of linking climate variables to ED visits in Valais.

Findings

The study will evaluate the feasibility of patient recruitment and data collection for a larger investigation.

It will explore potential associations between climate variables and ED visits related to cardiopulmonary health.

Patient knowledge and perceptions of climate change's health effects will be analyzed.

Abstract

Climate change is affecting public health and well-being. In 2016, Swiss emergency departments (EDs) treated 1,722,000 cases, with 4718 daily admissions. In 2023, the ED of Sion Regional Hospital recorded 75,000 consultations. The links between climate change and health are complex, necessitating urgent research on its impact on cardiopulmonary health in Valais, Switzerland. Raising awareness among frontline professionals is crucial for developing health promotion and disease prevention strategies.

This study explores the preliminary effects of climate change on cardiopulmonary health in Valais and assesses adult patients’ knowledge of its health consequences. Findings will inform adaptations in patient care, health promotion, and disease prevention at Sion Hospital’s ED. The feasibility of patient selection and data collection will also be evaluated.

Using a convergent, parallel, mixed methods design, data will be collected from September 21, 2024, to September 20, 2025, with a target sample of 60 patients. The quantitative phase will examine patient recruitment feasibility, consultation reasons, and triage levels, correlating them with climate variables (temperature, nitrogen dioxide, particulate matter, sulfur dioxide, and ozone). It will also analyze sociodemographic profiles. The qualitative phase will explore patients’ knowledge of climate change and its potential links to their ED visits. The feasibility and acceptability of the study process will be assessed. The protocol follows the SPIRIT (Standard Protocol Items: Recommendations for Interventional Trials) Extension for Pilot and Feasibility Trials.

Data collection started on September 21, 2024, following the approval by the ethical commission. Data collection will take place over 1 year, until September 20, 2025.

This study will test the feasibility of a larger investigation and examine potential associations between Valais’ changing microclimate and population health. Findings will establish patient profiles and explore their perceptions and knowledge of climate change, informing future health interventions.

DERR1-10.2196/67128

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