Outside the Box: Contextualizing User Experience Challenges in Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) and Paramedic Workflows

摘要

Paramedics and Emergency Medical Technicians (EMTs) often serve dual roles in their communities as both emergency medical providers and firefighters. Therefore, the demands and needs of these providers are different than those working directly in a hospital emergency room or medical office. Medics are required to treat a patient in less than ideal conditions where seconds can mean the difference between life and death. The goal of this work is to better understand how research informing technology for the emergency room (ER) can be linked to improving the user experience of EMTs and paramedics in the field. Through a review of relevant literature, we capture lessons learned in conveying information quickly, linking necessary information from disparate sources, and giving these providers accurate information to successfully treat and transport patients during prehospital care.