Integrative Biomedical Research
Integrative Biomedical Research (Journal of Angiotherapy) | Online ISSN 3068-6326
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Volume 8 Number 8 2024
REVIEWS (Open Access)
Digital First Aid Interventions in Emergency Care: A Narrative Review of Artificial Intelligence, Augmented Reality, and Telemedicine for Bystander Support
Abdulrahman Faihan H. Alharthi 1, Tamadur Marzouq Alotaibi 1, Muqbil Abdullah Muqbil Alharbi 1, Mohammed Ayidh Onayzan Alrashid 1, Abdulrahman Assaf Darwish Alshammari 1, Saad Saeed N. Almazariqah 1, Abdullah Mathkar Nawar Alotaibi 1, Turky Faez Saeed Alqahtani 1, Sari Rashed Saleh Alharbi 1, Mohammed Zahim Humud Albeladi 2, Samer Mohammed Alfaifi 2, Faris Binyah K. Alyazidi 2
Journal of Angiotherapy 8 (8) 1-8 https://doi.org/10.25163/angiotherapy.8810741
Submitted: 09 June 2024 Revised: 16 August 2024 Accepted: 22 August 2024 Published: 24 August 2024
Abstract
The moments immediately following a medical emergency are, in many cases, decisive—yet they remain heavily dependent on bystander action, which is often uncertain, delayed, or incomplete. In recent years, the rapid expansion of digital technologies—including artificial intelligence (AI) chatbots, augmented reality (AR), and video-enabled telemedicine—has begun to reshape how real-time first aid guidance might be delivered. Still, despite this technological momentum, the actual clinical value of these tools is not entirely clear, and in some cases, perhaps less reliable than assumed. This narrative review synthesizes current evidence (2010–2024) on digital first aid interventions, with a focus on their effectiveness, usability, and clinical implications across emergency scenarios such as out-of-hospital cardiac arrest, stroke, trauma, and wound care. The findings suggest a somewhat uneven landscape. Video-assisted dispatch systems—particularly those enabling live interaction between bystanders and trained clinicians—consistently improve cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) quality, influence emergency decision-making, and, in several studies, appear to be associated with improved survival outcomes. By contrast, commercial voice assistants demonstrate limited reliability, providing actionable CPR guidance in only a small proportion of cases and, at times, generating inconsistent or potentially misleading responses. Generative AI models offer a more adaptive and context-aware approach, yet their performance remains variable and, importantly, dependent on supervision and validation. Augmented reality applications, while promising in controlled or educational settings, still lack sufficient real-world evidence to support widespread deployment in emergency contexts. Across all technologies, issues of usability, cognitive load, trust calibration, and system integration emerge as persistent challenges. Taken together, the evidence suggests that digital first aid tools may indeed enhance bystander response—but only under specific conditions, particularly when integrated with professional oversight and structured protocols. Rather than replacing traditional emergency systems, these technologies seem better understood as extensions of them. Future progress will likely depend on rigorous validation, human-centered design, and careful alignment with clinical workflows to ensure both safety and effectiveness.
Keywords: First aid; artificial intelligence; augmented reality; telemedicine; bystander response, AI, CPR, emergency care
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