Communication among health professionals using newborn technology for care: an exploratory scoping review

Abstract

Neonatal technologies can significantly improve care quality and reduce newborn deaths. However, their successful implementation in complex health system contexts requires effective communication among health professionals. A comprehensive understanding of communication among professionals using newborn technologies is needed to inform technology implementation. We conducted a scoping review of the current literature. We searched the grey literature and online resources, including PubMed, Web of Science, Scopus, Embase, Cochrane Library and Google Scholar, for articles. We included English literature that discussed the use of technology in newborn care. 13 papers met the inclusion criteria. We analysed the findings using a thematic approach. 11 of the 13 papers included were based on research conducted in low-income and middle-income countries (LMICs), with continuous positive airway pressure being the most frequently covered technology. The communication information was limited, as these topics were just one of many themes in the papers. Most studies focused on nurses, encompassing aspects of communication such as knowledge sharing and interactions during patient management, monitoring and documentation. However, there was little detail on the nature of these interactions or where they occurred. Factors influencing communication included physical contexts such as infrastructure, socio-organisational contexts such as hierarchy and levels of skills, and technology-related factors such as perceived usefulness and ease of use. If and how these factors interacted with each other to shape technology-related communication was unclear. We highlight gaps in the literature on communication among health professionals using newborn technology for care. We stress the importance of carefully examining the physical and socio-organisational contextual factors and technology-specific attributes that shape communication in all settings, including LMICs. Research aiming to better understand the context of technology implementation will support the successful implementation of potentially life-saving technologies.