The HIMSS 2017 conference is “the year's largest and most important healthcare IT conference in the United States” and brings together executives, clinicians, IT professionals, and more for a week of networking, knowledge-sharing, and forward-thinking. Read more
human factors
Why Use Cadavers? The study of human anatomy using cadavers dates back to roughly 300 BC, when the Greek physician Herophilus started to use dissection to understand human anatomy. Since then, cadavers have served as a major aid to education and research. For medical students learning anatomy and surgeons perfecting their instrument techniques, cadavers provide physical training materials. What's. Read more
Human behavior can be hard to predict and even harder to explain. Study participants will often manage to do similar things in different ways, and they’ll rarely work with the same tools with equal proficiency. Read more
As a recent addition to the Design Science team, I know that there is a steep learning curve when it comes to the specific tools and skills needed for usability testing. There’s a lot to learn, from the nuances of interview styles and follow-up questioning to the requirements of study documentation and reporting. Thankfully, an effective training program can make all the difference when. Read more
The recent HFES Symposium in San Diego brought together human factors’ professionals from across the globe to discuss the future of the field. In line with the theme of this year’s conference—Shaping the Future—attendees presented on new lines of research, applications of technology, and opportunities to enhance the safety of medical devices and health care practices. Read more
Conducting usability studies abroad is an exciting opportunity for researchers. For those who get to travel to new places, you get to see another part of the world, eat new foods, and learn new customs. There are many resources available with tips and suggestions on how to plan an international trip—but planning a vacation abroad and planning a usability study abroad are two different things. Read more
When conducting usability testing, moderators rely heavily upon observations and interviews in order to evaluate medical devices. However, as Data & Systems Analyst Mahajabin Rahman points out in Design Science’s most recent article for MedDeviceOnline, the use of eye-tracking software can support these methods with objective, real-time data. Read more
In Design Science’s most recent guest column for MedDeviceOnline, Analyst Bryon Calawa examines the challenges that researchers face when evaluating auto-injectors in usability studies. Read more
Designing usability studies that are "representative" is not only necessary for valid data, it's also an FDA requirement. Chad Uy shares some methods for maintaining realism to ensure representative usability studies in his recent article for Med Device Online. Read more
Understanding the ramifications of less-than-perfect validation testing results can be complex. In his recent article for Med Device Online, Peter Sneeringer presents 6 questions to help companies decide if errors seen during testing indicate a likelihood that the FDA will reject their submission. Read more