Perception and Adaptation of Medical Personnel to MRI Technology: An Organizational Communication Perspective in Central Papua
Eunike Serfina Fajarini, Noprita Herari, Dewi Widowati, E. Nugrahaeni P., Habib Mohammad Ali, Kinkin Yuliaty Subarsa Putri

Universitas Airlangga, Indonesia
Universitas Negeri Jakarta, Indonesia
Green University, Bangladesh

Abstract

The implementation of Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) technology in healthcare facilities, especially in regions with limited resources, presents a unique set of challenges for medical personnel, particularly in terms of perception and adaptation. This study aims to explore how medical personnel in a regional hospital in Central Papua perceive and adapt to the use of MRI technology, taking into account the cultural, organizational, and psychological factors that influence the adaptation process.

Employing a qualitative research approach, data were collected through direct observations and in-depth interviews with key medical personnel, including radiologists and radiographers who are directly involved in operating the MRI equipment. The analysis of this study is grounded in the Adaptive Structuration Theory (AST) within the sociocultural tradition of communication, intersected with elements of the socio-psychological tradition to better understand the behavior, attitudes, and communication patterns that emerge during the adaptation process.

Findings from the study reveal that successful adaptation to MRI technology in the hospital under study is not merely a matter of technical training or individual readiness. Rather, the process is deeply embedded in the organizational communication structures and cultural context of the institution. Specifically, in the Central Papua region, cultural dynamics play a pivotal role in shaping how new technologies are perceived and integrated. Unlike adaptation processes commonly observed in other organizational cultures (where direct training and top-down information dissemination may suffice) this study found that a more effective strategy involved two-step communication flows within small internal groups in the organization. These groups acted as mediators and trust agents, facilitating understanding, emotional assurance, and gradual behavioral changes among broader medical staff.

Moreover, the study underscores the limitations of conventional one-size-fits-all digital transformation strategies in healthcare. In culturally distinct regions like Central Papua, adaptation requires a nuanced understanding of how communication and social interaction operate within the organizational ecosystem. It also highlights the importance of informal communication channels and peer learning in building technological competence and trust.

From a theoretical standpoint, this research contributes to the discourse on communication and technology in healthcare by demonstrating how AST can be adapted to non-Western organizational settings. It also supports the socio-psychological notion that perceived usefulness and ease of use are not solely cognitive evaluations but are shaped through interpersonal interactions and collective meaning-making processes.

Practically, the findings emphasize the urgent need for healthcare institutions (particularly those operating in underserved regions) to invest not only in technological infrastructure but also in culturally sensitive communication strategies. By fostering inclusive communication environments and leveraging local communication norms, healthcare organizations can enhance the readiness and resilience of medical personnel in facing the ongoing wave of digital transformation.

In conclusion, this study confirms that effective organizational communication is a critical enabler of technological adaptation in healthcare. It calls for an integrated approach that bridges technology, culture, and human communication to support equitable and sustainable healthcare innovation, particularly in Indonesia^s diverse and resource-constrained regions.

Keywords: communication transformation, cultural communication, health communication, MRI, SDG 3, technology adaptation

Topic: Medical Physics and Biophysics