Negative Perceptions of Speech Recognition Technology in Canadian Paramedicine

Area of Science:

• Health Information Technology
• Human-Computer Interaction
• Emergency Medical Services

Background:

• Health information technology (HIT) implementations are complex and prone to failure.
• User resistance, specifically negative attitudes towards technology, presents a significant barrier.
• Understanding these negative attitudes is crucial for successful HIT adoption.

Purpose of the Study:

• To identify and categorize the negative attitudes of paramedics towards speech recognition technology.
• To inform the development of effective implementation strategies for HIT in emergency medical services.

Main Methods:

• A mixed-methods approach was employed, combining surveys and semi-structured interviews with paramedics.
• Qualitative data analysis was used to identify recurring themes in user attitudes.

Main Results:

• Five key themes of negative attitudes emerged: previous poor implementations, technology as a crutch, technology overload, familiarity with personal technology, and perceived lack of benefit.
• These attitudes highlight specific concerns paramedics have regarding speech recognition technology.

Conclusions:

• Addressing negative attitudes is essential for successful HIT implementation among paramedics.
• Strategies such as early education and demonstrating the practical benefits of technology can mitigate resistance.
• Further research is needed to explore optimal implementation approaches.