An integrated model for predicting local and overall thermal sensation of medical staff wearing medical protective clothing

<b>Abstract: </b>In order to avoid the infection of bacteria and viruses, medical staff must wear medical protective clothing for a long time. Thus they are likely to experience serious thermal discomfort in summer. This study aims to establish an integrated prediction model for obtaining the local and overall thermal sensation of the medical staff. Firstly, an indoor heat exposure experiments is conducted. Then based on the logistic regression functions and experimental data, the local thermal sensation prediction module is established. Secondly, based on the analytic hierarchy process method and variable weight theory, the weight ranges of local thermal sensation are determined. And the overall thermal sensation prediction module is established. Finally, the prediction modules are integrated to establish the prediction model, and then this model is validated. The results show that: (1) For the forehead, chest, abdomen, back, upper arm, forearm, thigh and calf, the thermal sensation weight values range in 0.09-0.28, 0-0.23, 0-0.23, 0-0.26, 0-0.18, 0-0.1, 0-0.19 and 0-0.18; (2) Under 26°C (30°C) environment, the maximum determination coefficients of local thermal sensation module is 0.85 (0.83). And the <i>R</i>² for overall thermal sensation is 0.74 (0.84); (3) This prediction model can be incorporated into the HVAC control system for effective real-time operation. This study can provide theoretical support for thermal psychology prediction and thermal safety protection for medical staff wearing medical protective clothing in summer.