Accepted for/Published in: JMIR Human Factors
Date Submitted: Jun 24, 2025
Date Accepted: Feb 21, 2026
Warning: This is an author submission that is not peer-reviewed or edited. Preprints - unless they show as "accepted" - should not be relied on to guide clinical practice or health-related behavior and should not be reported in news media as established information.
“Where is That Pump...?” Enhancing Understanding and Acceptance of Equipment Localization: A Mixed-Methods Study with Clinic Staff and Potential Patients
ABSTRACT
Background:
Digital technologies, such as equipment localization systems, offer new opportunities for improving efficiency and transparency in clinical settings. However, successful implementation depends on more than just technical feasibility. It also must be accepted by those who use it. Thus, perceptions of staff and the clarity of information provided to patients should be considered.
Objective:
This study aimed to (1) assess clinic staff attitudes toward the localization of vacuum-assisted closure (VAC) pumps, including perceived comfort, perceived usefulness, and concerns; and (2) examine whether an improved privacy policy layout using guiding questions enhances subjective understanding and acceptance among potential patients.
Methods:
We conducted two complementary studies. In Study 1, a total of 38 clinic employees completed a survey assessing their comfort with and perceived usefulness of VAC pump localization. Participants also responded to an open-ended question regarding their concerns about implementing such a system. In Study 2, an experimental design was used to test the effect of privacy policy layout (standard vs. guiding-question format) on subjective understanding and acceptance, with 310 participants drawn from a preregistered online study.
Results:
Clinic staff in Study 1 generally reported high levels of comfort and perceived usefulness regarding localization, though some expressed concerns about implementation and workload. In Study 2, the guiding-question layout significantly improved subjective understanding, and better understanding was associated with higher acceptance of the policy.
Conclusions:
The findings highlight the importance of both communication layout and staff engagement in the implementation of digital health technologies. Structuring information in a clear and user-centered way can enhance understanding and trust, and proactively addressing staff concerns is essential for ensuring successful adoption of technical innovation in clinical practice.
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