Implementing Technology in Practice: Factors Associated with Clinicians’ Satisfaction with an AI Wound Assessment Solution

Abstract

Introduction: A digital wound care management application (Swift) leveraging Artificial Intelligence (AI) technology is used by healthcare providers to improve the quality of wound care. Methods: Our observational cross-sectional study invited clinicians using Swift to evaluate wounds at their practice to participate in an online survey to assess their practice patterns, overall satisfaction with the solution, and perspectives on the perceived benefits of using it through a five-point Likert scale and open-ended questions. Results: Overall, our study recorded 81% satisfaction among clinicians. Our findings noted a significantly higher satisfaction (85.5% vs. 76.5%, P=0.034) and agreement on perceived clinical benefits, such as tracking clinical changes in wounds (88.7% vs. 83.6%, P=0.045), saving time in assessing wounds (81.1% vs.71.6%, P=0.023), and effective collaboration (76.1% vs. 70.4%, P=0.044), among those who used the solution for more than nine months compared to those who used the solution for less than nine months. Using the logistic regression model, the likelihood of clinicians’ satisfaction with the technology increased two-fold with the prolonged use of the technology (OR 2.334, 95% CI 1.940-5.792, P = 0.042) and when the solution was seen to enable more efficient collaboration (OR 2.291, 95% CI 2.928-5.656, P = 0.047). Conclusion: Clinician satisfaction with technology changes over time. Therefore, it is essential when implementing a new technology to investigate its ability to meet clinical needs and improve the user experience. A holistic understanding of what drives clinician satisfaction in practice is essential.