Technology-Enhanced Training for Prehospital Mass-Casualty Incident Preparedness: A Scoping Review

The use of technology-enhanced training for prehospital mass-casualty incident (MCI) preparedness has grown quickly, but there has been no comprehensive overview of how these technologies operate throughout the training process or how competencies are evaluated. This scoping review, conducted as part of the MCIPHER (Mass-Casualty Incident Prehospital Emergency Response) project, followed the Arksey and O'Malley framework and PRISMA-ScR guidelines. We searched seven databases and additional sources, screened 2,105 records, and included 28 studies published from 2015 to 2025. Virtual reality was the most common method (43%), followed by hybrid approaches (29%) and screen-based simulations (21%). We identified five key analytical constructs. Three were derived from the data: the Technology Function Spectrum revealed that half of the studies used dual-purpose platforms for both training and performance assessment; the Data Capture Architecture linked embedded data collection to advanced learning outcomes (L2+); and the Pedagogical Transparency Gap showed that 75% of studies did not specify a training design framework. Two other constructs — the Immersion-Evaluation Paradox and the Scalability-Rigor Tension — suggest areas for future research. Using a modified Kirkpatrick framework with an L2+ (Applied Learning) sub-level, 56% of completed studies demonstrated applied learning through embedded performance assessments. Overall, these findings suggest that investments in MCI preparedness should focus more on measurement capabilities than immersion, incorporate assessment into training platforms, and work to reduce geographic and resource disparities.