(CR-005) Key Experiences and Perspectives on the Implementation of an AI-driven Digital Wound Care Solution in an Indigenous Community

Friday, April 10, 2026

Heba Tallah Mohammed, MD,PhD – Swift Medical Inc.; Deirdre Drombolis, BSc; Robert D. J. Fraser, BScN,MN – Swift Medical Inc.; Ibukun Abejirinde, PhD; Courtney Genge, PhD

Introduction: The Giishkaandago'Ikwe Health Services adopted an artificial intelligence (AI)-driven Digital Wound Care Solution (DWCS) in February 2022 to support wound care management across seven Anishinaabe communities in Northwestern Ontario. This qualitative study explores how organizational leaders and technology-support partners experienced the system’s implementation and how they perceived its influence on wound care processes, team communication and broader Quintuple Aim goals [Improving clients’ and clinicians’ experience, enhancing population health, reducing costs, and advancing health equity] within a rural Indigenous context.

Methods: We conducted semi-structured interviews with five key informants (KIs); three leadership-level participants from The Giishkaandago'Ikwe Health Services and two members of the technology partner’s IT and clinical support teams. The interview guide was informed by the Nonadoption, Abandonment, Scale-up, Spread, and Sustainability (NASSS) framework. Interviews were transcribed verbatim in Microsoft Word and analyzed thematically in NVivo version 15. The resulting codes were reviewed and interpreted using the NASSS framework to identify key facilitators and barriers.

Results:

Participants from The Giishkaandago'Ikwe Health Services (wound care director, manager, and clinical champion) considered the DWCS as a game-changer in chronic wound assessment as it enhanced the continuity and reliability of wound assessments, especially within a geographically dispersed region where, in most instances, distance disrupts continuity of care. Leadership noted that standardized digital documentation strengthened interdisciplinary communication between clinicians and enhanced patients’ engagement by providing a clear visual record of healing progress. Both organizational and technology partner informants underscored the value of responsive technical support and culturally sensitive training during early implementation using standardized checklists and tools on adoption and satisfaction of technology. Initial usability issues included problems with logging in, applying filters, and user role features. Usability issues tended to decrease as users became more comfortable using these systems. However, variability in internet access in remote communities and unknown future gaps in funding are issues that can impact further technology use.

Discussion: Key informants perceived that the DWCS enhances assessment, workflow, communication, and patients’ engagement. Continued attention to infrastructure limitations and funding stability will be essential to the sustainability and scaling up of technology by Giishkaandago’Ikwe Health Services.