Appropriation of SMART Glasses

A Qualitative Study on the Long-term Use of SMART Glasses in Healthcare

  • Niek Zuidhof Saxion University of Applied Sciences https://orcid.org/0000-0001-7359-0169
  • Oscar Peters Saxion University of Applied Sciences
  • Peter-Paul Verbeek University of Amsterdam
  • Somaya Ben Allouch University of Amsterdam
DOI: https://doi.org/10.46364/ejwi.v10i1.1453

Abstract

Smart glasses could revolutionize healthcare workplaces. Despite pilot studies, long-term use insights are limited. This study examines nurses using smart glasses (Vuzix M400) for wound care over several years. In the use case presented in this study, nurses visit patients at home, consult remote experts via smart glasses, and treat patients accordingly. However, since knowledge about the long-term use and appropriation of smart glasses is scarce, this study aims to understand long-term use experiences through interviews with home care nurses (n=7), remote wound care nurses (n=7), and hospital managers (n=3). Data were analysed using directed content analysis, revealing four main themes: personal experience, collaborative experiences, unanticipated consequences, and future needs. Respondents reported personal habits, emotional aspects, and experiences when working with smart glasses. In collaboration through smart glasses, respondents mentioned the increased quality of care and the change in interdependencies. Furthermore, working together via smart glasses had an impact on care at home as well. The consequences of the long-term use of smart glasses led to more feedback between nurses and patients, and to shifts in tasks between stakeholders. Future needs for smart glasses lie in further coordination with various stakeholders: patients, colleagues, IT, management, and developers of smart glasses. In conclusion smart glasses enable hands-free, high-quality home care, where an expert advises with a first-person perspective, the nurse learns new skills and a vulnerable patient can remain in the comfort of their environment. Despite it is currently cost increasing, it also saves time and space in the hospital.

Author Biographies

Niek Zuidhof, Saxion University of Applied Sciences

Niek Zuidhof is a senior researcher at the research groups Employability Transition and Technology, Health & Care at Saxion University of Applied Sciences. His research concentrates on technology uptake, implementation, and appropriation in the workplace. 

Oscar Peters, Saxion University of Applied Sciences

Oscar Peters is a researcher and lecturer at Saxion University of Applied Sciences. His research focuses on media use and effects, with particular attention to the use and adoption of new media and ICT from the user’s perspective.

Peter-Paul Verbeek, University of Amsterdam

Peter-Paul Verbeek is Rector Magnificus of the University of Amsterdam and Professor of Philosophy and Ethics of Science and Technology in a Changing World. His research focuses on philosophy of human-technology relations.

Somaya Ben Allouch, University of Amsterdam

Somaya Ben Allouch is professor Human-System Interaction for Health & Wellbeing at the University of Amsterdam and Amsterdam University of Applied Sciences. Her research focuses on het digital interaction between humans and non-humans.

Published
2025-06-27
Issue
Vol. 10 No. 1 (2025): General Issue
Section
Articles

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