Digital Adoption in Paramedicine: A Scoping Review Protocol

TL;DR

This paper outlines a scoping review protocol to explore how paramedics and EMTs accept new digital technologies in healthcare.

Contribution

The study introduces a systematic approach to analyze digital technology adoption in paramedicine using established behavioral and cognitive theories.

Findings

A scoping review protocol is developed to examine digital adoption in paramedicine.

The review will use PRISMA-ScR guidelines to analyze behavioral, cognitive, and environmental factors.

The study aims to identify effective theories for explaining technology acceptance among paramedics.

Abstract

Since the late 1980s there’s been a growing body of knowledge that applies behavioural and cognitive theories to understanding how people accept new technologies. However, a paradox exists between studies demonstrating the many benefits of Digital Systems in Healthcare and the volume of literature detailing end-user clinician acceptance issues. The problems encountered when designing, developing, and operating complex technologies are not limited to technical or engineering issues. Technology implemented in organizations does not stand alone but is part of a broader socio-technical system, spanning divergent groups of people, each with their own cultural dynamics and distinct ways of working. Paramedics have personality traits that may be advantageous in their career, but research is needed to determine how these affect their ability to accept new technologies.

This scoping review will be conducted according to Joanna Briggs Institute (JBI) guidelines has been registered with the Open Science Foundation (OSF). Electronic searches for relevant publications will be conducted in MEDLINE, PubMed, Scopus, CINHAL, IEEE, ACM, PsycINFO, Web of Science. Global English language literature related to digital acceptance in Emergency Medical Services after 2004 will be included.

The process of extraction, analysis, and presentation will be conducted using the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses extension for Scoping Reviews (PRISMA-ScR).

This scoping review will collect meta-data on Behavioural, Cognitive, and Environmental factors common to the dominant prevailing digital acceptance theories to determine if any would be effective in explaining the experience of implementing technology with Paramedics and Emergency Medical Technicians (EMTs) working in Emergency Medical Services.