JMIR Publications

ABSTRACT

Background:

There is a need to address implementation of new technology into emergency medical services to facilitate and improve information exchange between prehospital emergency care providers, command centres, and hospitals during major incidents to enable a better allocation of resources, and to minimise loss of life. At present there is a lack of technology supporting real-time information sharing in command and control to optimise the use of resources available.

Objective:

The overall aim of the studies included in this study protocol is to develop, design, and evaluate information technology innovations for use in medical response to major incidents.

Methods:

The study has a qualitative action research design. This research approach is a suitable method for developing and changing practice in healthcare settings since it is cyclical in nature and involves development, evaluation, redevelopment, and replanning. The working group includes academics, healthcare professionals from the emergency medical services, and hospitals, designated duty officers, and information technology producers. The duration of the study will be two years after the first data collection spring 2024. The qualitative data collections used will include workshops, structured meetings, semi-structured interviews, questionnaires, observations, and focus groups interviews.

Results:

The trial implementation and evaluation phase for this study is April 2024 to May 2026. The outcome from the qualitative content analysis will form the basis for the design and development of the new information technology system.

Conclusions:

The strength of the methodology chosen is that it improves and changes practice by directly involving the intended users. The study plan includes several methods for data collection that will form the basis for a process that will lead to technological innovations designed for efficiency and functionality and based on experiences and requirements of users. Clinical Trial: The study has been approved by the Swedish Ethical Review Authority (EPN) (Dnr 2023-04615-01, 20 October 2023) and in accordance with the guidelines of EPN.