User-Centered Design and Evaluation of an Augmented Reality-based Decision Support Prototype for Ambulance Workers

Abstract

Background: The demand for healthcare services is increasing globally, and there is a need for improved, sustainable health services. The Norwegian Ministry of Health and Care Services highlights the need for improved coordination between the various health-care providers to ensure a cohesive patient journey. Ambulance services play an important role in the early phases of the patient journey. There is an increasing demand for per-forming clinical tasks in ambulance services while having limited support. Objective: The main objective of this study is to investigate how technological solutions can increase information availability and decision support for ambulance workers while they are providing emergency care. Five research questions were formulated, looking into how Augmented Reality (AR) can potentially support ambulance workers in providing emergency care. Keywords: Prehospital emergency care, Ambulance workers, Clinical decision support, Augmented reality, User involvement