Smart Glasses in Emergency Medical Services - Bridging Communication Gaps Through User-Centred Design
Every second counts in the high-stakes world of Emergency Medical Services (EMS). Effective prehospital communication between on-scene providers and remote medical teams can mean the difference between life and death. Yet traditional communication tools, mostly smartphones, are not designed to exchange complex patient data. Smart glasses poised to revolutionise this. But why has adoption lagged, and how can design innovations unlock their full potential?
EMS providers deliver urgent care in chaotic environments, from accident scenes to rural settings. Before patients reach hospitals, they must relay vital information—such as injury details, vital signs, or ECG readings—to emergency department teams, a process known as prehospital communication [1]. However, traditional tools like radios and telephones often fail to convey complex medical data, leading to delays or miscommunication [1, 2]. While telemedicine systems like ambulance-mounted devices have been tested, their bulkiness and reliance on manual operation make them impractical for mobile EMS workflows [3, 4]. This gap has fuelled demand for portable, hands-free technologies that align with the fast-paced nature of EMS work.
Smart Glasses: A Game Changer for EMS?
Smart glasses combine portability, hands-free operation, and real-time video capabilities, making them ideal for EMS. Early prototypes showed promise, but prior research focused narrowly on technical feasibility, overlooking the needs of frontline providers. Despite their promise, adoption remains low, raising a pivotal question: Can the unique needs of EMS be integrated into the future design of smart glasses?
A Groundbreaking Study in User-Centered Design
A study by Zhang et al., published in 2024, offers a roadmap [1]. Over two years, the research team collaborated with 43 EMS providers from urban and rural agencies to design a smart glass telemedicine platform. Researchers conducted workshops and usability tests to refine prototypes. In a participatory approach, they refined prototypes based on real-world feedback.
The study identified key challenges, such as contacting Online Medical Control (OLMC) physicians and notifying hospitals efficiently. Through iterative design, five features emerged as critical:
- live video conferencing for remote collaboration,
- touchless interaction via voice or gestures,
- automated integration of patient data into electronic health records (EHRs),
- low-light optimization for nighttime use, and
- ruggedized hardware to withstand harsh conditions.
Figure. Iterative Design of the Smart Glass Application in the Setting of Emergency Medical Services
Results were striking: task efficiency improved by 89%, communication errors dropped by 78%, and user satisfaction scores reached 82/100 on the System Usability Scale.
Overcoming Barriers to Adoption and Looking Ahead
For medical device companies and healthcare professionals, this study underscores the transformative potential of user-centered design in turning innovative tools into practical solutions. For corporate suppliers for devices, hardware advancements, such as extended battery life and rugged designs, will further enhance adaptability. For managers and policymakers, it highlights the urgency of investing in infrastructure and fostering cross-sector partnerships. Even technology developers can learn from its blueprint: innovation must be grounded in the realities of frontline care.
While systemic issues like OLMC physician shortages require broader policy solutions, smart glasses represent a paradigm shift in prehospital communication. By bridging the gap between cutting-edge technology and real-world needs, they could soon become as indispensable to EMS as defibrillators or stretchers.
Literature
- Zhang Z, Bai E, Xu Y, Stepanian A, Kutzin JM, Adelgais K, Ozkaynak M. A Smart Glass Telemedicine Application for Prehospital Communication: User-Centered Design Study. J Med Internet Res. 2024;26:e53157. doi:10.2196/53157.
- Zhang Z, Sarcevic A, Joy K, Ozkaynak M, Adelgais K. User Needs and Challenges in Information Sharing between Pre-Hospital and Hospital Emergency Care Providers. AMIA Annu Symp Proc. 2021;2021:1254–63.
- Romare C, Skär L. Smart Glasses for Caring Situations in Complex Care Environments: Scoping Review. JMIR Mhealth Uhealth. 2020;8:e16055. doi:10.2196/16055.
- Sriram V, Conard AM, Rosenberg I, Kim D, Saponas TS, Hall AK. Addressing biomedical data challenges and opportunities to inform a large-scale data lifecycle for enhanced data sharing, interoperability, analysis, and collaboration across stakeholders. Sci Rep. 2025;15:6291. doi:10.1038/s41598-025-90453-x.
- Zhang Z, Ramiya Ramesh Babu NA, Adelgais K, Ozkaynak M. Designing and implementing smart glass technology for emergency medical services: a sociotechnical perspective. JAMIA Open. 2022;5:ooac113. doi:10.1093/jamiaopen/ooac113.
- Zhang Z, Bai E, Joy K, Ghelaa PN, Adelgais K, Ozkaynak M. Smart Glasses for Supporting Distributed Care Work: Systematic Review. JMIR Med Inform. 2023;11:e44161. doi:10.2196/44161.
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