The Potential of Using Voice Recognition in Patient Assessment Documentation in Mountain Rescue

The aim of this study was to evaluate the potential of using voice recognition software in patient assessment documentation in mountain rescue. An exploratory experimental study was conducted, which involved 5 mountain rescue (MR) team members, 3 people who volunteered to act as patients, and the authors of the report who acted as observers. The MR personnel were asked to assess the patients and to document their findings using both voice recognition (VR) software and pen and paper. Data was collected using a questionnaire, observations were made by the authors and a comparison of written and VR digital documentation was conducted. The major concerns raised by the MR personnel were anticipated problems with the equipment such as lack of battery power, failure of the software to work effectively, and environmental factors. It was found that VR worked best when short simple sentences were used. Further robust research should be carried out in this area to critically evaluate potential use of VR in patient assessment documentation in MR.