Health professionals' perceptions of the development needs of incident reporting software: A qualitative systematic review

Abstract

Aim: To systemically identify and synthesize information on health professionals' and students' perceptions regarding the development needs of incident reporting software.

Design: A systematic review of qualitative studies.

Data sources: A database search was conducted using Medline, CINAHL, Scopus, Web of Science and Medic without time or language limits in February 2023.

Review methods: A total of 4359 studies were identified. Qualitative studies concerning the perceptions of health professionals and students regarding the development needs of incident reporting software were included, based on screening and critical appraisal by two independent reviewers. A thematic synthesis was conducted.

Results: From 10 included studies, five analytical themes were analysed. Health professionals and students desired the following improvements or changes to incident reporting software: (1) the design of reporting software, (2) the anonymity of reporting, (3) the accessibility of reporting software, (4) the classification of fields and answer options and (5) feedback and tracking of reports. Wanted features included suitable reporting forms for various specialized fields that could be integrated into existing hospital information systems. Rapid, user-friendly reporting software using multiple reporting platforms and with flexible fields and predefined answer options was preferred. While anonymous reporting was favoured, the idea of reporting serious incidents with both patient and reporter names was also suggested.

Conclusion: Health professionals and students provided concrete insights into the development needs for reporting software. Considering the underreporting of healthcare cases, the perspectives of healthcare professionals must be considered while developing user-friendly reporting tools. Reporting software that facilitates the reporting process could reduce underreporting.

Reporting method: The ENTREQ reporting guideline was used to support the reporting of this systematic review.

Patient or public contribution: There was no patient or public contribution.

Protocol registration: The protocol is registered in the International Prospective Register of Systematic Reviews with register number CRD42023393804.

Keywords: incident reporting; patient safety; software design; systematic review; thematic synthesis.