Perceptions and feasibility of augmented reality for pressure injury care among healthcare professionals and caregivers: A qualitative study.

Objective: To explore the perceived feasibility and potential applications of an augmented reality (AR) solution to address the challenges of managing pressure injuries in non-clinical settings. Methods: This qualitative study utilized semi-structured interviews with caregivers and healthcare professionals. Conducted from January to June 2025 at Guangdong Provincial Hospital of Chinese Medicine, the study recruited 21 participants via purposive and snowball sampling until data saturation. Interview guides were grounded in the technology acceptance model. Data were analyzed using Braun and Clarke's six-phase thematic analysis via NVivo. Results: Most participants (90.5%) reported prior experience with general digital health technologies such as telehealth platforms, while few had used immersive technologies (23.8%). All healthcare professionals were currently involved in pressure injury care (100.0%), and most caregivers were providing current care (83.3%), with the remaining caregivers reporting recent and relevant caregiving experience (16.7%). Thematic analysis revealed that participants' perceptions of the AR application were shaped by three main themes: perceived usefulness, perceived ease of use, and intention to use. Key external variables, such as computer anxiety and computer efficacy, also influenced these perceptions. Conclusion: This study indicates that both healthcare professionals and caregivers perceive AR as a potentially useful tool for remote pressure injury management. Successful implementation depends on addressing key concerns related to user interface design, cost, and data privacy. These insights indicate that future development must prioritize intuitive usability and robust privacy measures to ensure successful implementation.