Human Factors Discipline Research Articles

Abstract PO5-10-09: Capturing Experiences: Navigating Breast Cancer Treatment of Nigerian Patients and Healthcare Providers Using Qualitative Interviews

Abstract Introduction A notable shift has occurred in medical relationships, placing greater emphasis on the role of patients within the healthcare system. A nascent body of literature in the US captures the experiences of patients following a diagnosis, but this is lacking in Nigeria. We used Systems Engineering Initiative for Patient Safety (SEIPS 2.0) as a theoretical framework from the discipline of human factors that serves as a guide for characterizing complex sociotechnical systems comprised of factors, work processes, and outcomes - with the patient and clinicians at the center. We specifically focused on the patient work network, which refers to individuals and communities that play role in supporting patient work. The objective of this study was to elicit the experiences of Nigerian breast cancer patients and healthcare providers by qualitative interviews and characterize productive and counterproductive activities of the patient work network. Methods The study was approved by the IRB. We used snowball sampling and social media to recruit Nigerian breast cancer patients and health care providers with experience treating breast cancer. One researcher conducted interviews that lasted 30–60 min using teleconferencing technology and an interview guide developed for this study. Questions for both patients and healthcare providers covered topics such as patient response to diagnosis, barriers and facilitators to care including people and communities within the patient’s network. We calculated descriptive statistics for demographics. Using thematic analysis, we carried out the analysis in the following stages: data review, category coding and data extraction, and synthesis and integration of findings. Results We interviewed 18 female patients (29-67 yrs old) and 6 healthcare providers (31-42 yrs old; 3 males). Twelve patients received treatment in urban areas and 6 in rural. Four patients had a bachelor's degree. Healthcare providers included primary, specialty, palliative, treatment, diagnostic care. We highlight a subset of the dataset with focus on productive versus unproductive work conducted by family and by religious community, with unproductive defined as potentially having negative impact on the patient and their experience (Table 1). Providers stated that patients who receive family support exhibit better health outcomes compared to those who do not. Providers shared that religious community can perpetuate patient denial in their diagnosis. Both patients and providers discussed an inclination towards seeking traditional care. Despite recognizing the challenges and pressures faced by patients, providers lacked in-depth understanding of the specific experiences patients encountered. Conclusion Our findings highlight the role of family and religious community in conducting activities that are both productive and unproductive facilitating productive activities and its influence on the decision-making process of patients. Alternatively, both family and religious community engage in activities counterproductive to the patient and their illness. Findings emphasize the importance of comprehensive support systems, education, and targeted interventions to improve the experiences and outcomes of Nigerian breast cancer patients. Effective strategies should address cultural beliefs, empower patients to make informed decisions, and enhance provider knowledge regarding the unique challenges faced by patients within the identified barriers. Table. Productive versus unproductive work conducted by family and by religious community Citation Format: Blessing Nwachukwu, Elizabeth Papautsky. Capturing Experiences: Navigating Breast Cancer Treatment of Nigerian Patients and Healthcare Providers Using Qualitative Interviews [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 2023 San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium; 2023 Dec 5-9; San Antonio, TX. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2024;84(9 Suppl):Abstract nr PO5-10-09.

Supporting cognitive intelligence for smart manufacturing systems using HMI design: challenges and fundamental issues

As the rate of digitalisation grows in the manufacturing sector, there is a need to address the manner in which design for the human experience is conceptualised. In industrial systems, user experience/user interface (UX/UI) as a paradigm does not fit in squarely, as industrial technologies require a blend of humans and technology for productivity. Thus, the aim of this article is to highlight the challenges and fundamental issues related to human-machine interaction (HMI) design in smart manufacturing from the disciplines of Human Factors and Interaction Design in terms of major themes: (1) designing for operator experience, (2) meaning-based analytics and design for complexity, and (3) human-centered design process for enabling reliability, maintainability, availability, and safety. These various challenges are depicted using a case study of HMI concept design for monitoring an additive manufacturing setup. The article concludes by discussing future steps for addressing HMI design in the manufacturing sector.

How can human factors close the gender data gap?

AbstractThis commentary paper will describe how the discipline of human factors and ergonomics (HFE) can help to close the gender data gap, which is prevalent across many domains and arises due to a lack of data capturing female metrics and viewpoints. HFE is a domain‐independent discipline that seeks to understand human performance and well‐being with respect to the interactions that humans engage in and the environments that they inhabit. HFE therefore presents an opportunity to understand how gender influences human performance, effective design, social interactions, and environmental factors. This paper argues that a sociotechnical systems approach is essential when reviewing equality, diversity, and inclusivity issues, without which attempts to close the gender data gap will not go far enough. Following the sociotechnical systems approach in HFE, the micro‐, meso‐, and macro‐levels of system design with respect to closing the gender data gap are reviewed. We discuss these issues in relation to a case study example of a crash test dummy. A checklist approach for researchers is presented, which identifies key questions that prompt where gender should be considered in the research process across these levels of sociotechnical systems.

Humans and Technology

Free AccessHumans and TechnologyJulia Behrend and Matthew J. W. ThomasJulia BehrendJulia Behrend, Ecole Normale Supérieure, PSL Research University, Laboratoire de Neurosciences Cognitives, 29 rue d’Ulm, 75005 Paris, Francejournal@eaap.net Ecole Normale Supérieure, PSL Research University, Laboratoire de Neurosciences Cognitives, Paris, France Search for more papers by this author and Matthew J. W. ThomasMatthew J. W. Thomas, Appleton Institute, Central Queensland University, 44 Greenhill Rd, Wayville, SA 5034, Australiajournal@eaap.net Appleton Institute, Central Queensland University, Adelaide, Australia Search for more papers by this authorPublished Online:May 08, 2023https://doi.org/10.1027/2192-0923/a000248PDF ToolsAdd to favoritesDownload CitationsTrack Citations ShareShare onFacebookTwitterLinkedInReddit SectionsMoreThis issue of Aviation Psychology and Applied Human Factors presents a set of papers that reflect two different, yet equally important dimensions of our disciplines, that of technology and the human element.First, several of the articles in this issue focus on new technologies, and their potential role in enhancing aviation safety. Our disciplines of aviation psychology and human factors have from their beginnings focussed on technological innovation, given the rapid evolution of the aviation industry and the enormous technological advances that have occurred along the way. However, one of the most important roles we play is through the evaluation of those technologies, demonstrating their effectiveness from a human perspective, and identifying any unanticipated consequences in implementation.The evaluation of new technologies demands high quality, in the form of sound experimental design, disciplined data collection and appropriate statistical analysis. All of these characteristics are seen in the papers presented in our journal, and our reviewers and editorial team pay significant attention to the scientific rigor applied to the research we publish.While the focus on new technologies, and their scientific evaluation is important, just as important is the attention we pay to the individuals and teams who together create safety and efficiency in operations.Feeling safe at work implies more than the physical aspects, including an individual’s mental and social well-being. Aviation psychologists and human factors specialists play a major role in creating that diverse climate. Their knowledge, skills, and attitudes help to make the sky safer.The term competency is more than ever an area of focus for the aviation industry, looking at the job-related observable behaviors of safety-sensitive personnel. Keeping the balance of analyzing human behavior in a precise way without creating too narrow mindsets is a challenge for future operations. Gestalt psychology emphasizes that the whole is greater than the sum of its parts.The human element and technology are two equally important dimensions of our discipline that should always create a synergy to keep safety the overarching priority.Every time, we receive a new submission, we are amazed by the brilliant research ideas and variety of thought. We would like to thank all authors, reviewers, associate editors, the editorial team and the Hogrefe team for their ongoing support to make the journal a continued success.Julia Behrend Matthew J. W. ThomasEditor-in-Chief EditorAuthor BiographiesJulia Behrend (PhD) is an associate member of the Department of Cognitive Studies at the Ecole Normale Supérieure, PSL Research University in Paris, France, and is Head of Safety Innovation & Human Cooperation at Air France. She aims to apply findings from aviation psychology and cognitive neuroscience to safety to better understand human performance in high-risk industries.Matthew J. W. Thomas (PhD) is an Associate Professor at Appleton Institute at Central Queensland University in Adelaide, Australia, and Director of Westwood Thomas Associates. His research focuses on error management and non-technical skills across high-risk industries.FiguresReferencesRelatedDetails Volume 13Issue 1March 2023ISSN: 2192-0923eISSN: 2192-0931 Published onlineMay 8, 2023 InformationAviation Psychology and Applied Human Factors (2023), 13, pp. 1-1 https://doi.org/10.1027/2192-0923/a000248.© 2023Hogrefe PublishingPDF download

Clarifying the nature of failure in sociotechnical systems: ambiguity-based failure and expectation-based failure

While systems engineers and philosophers of technology have analysed failure in artefacts, the nature of failure in sociotechnical systems has been largely underdeveloped. Sociotechnical systems differ from artefacts in that they are made up of relationships between people and technologies, and this difference means that failure needs a different analysis. In this article, we provide an account of two kinds of malfunctioning in sociotechnical systems. To accomplish this, we draw on resources from the disciplines of Human Factors, Systems Engineering, and Philosophy of Technology. We offer an account of two kinds of malfunction that are not only dependent on functions but also on roles of people involved in the functioning of sociotechnical systems. Hence, we aim to broaden the discourse of malfunctions in sociotechnical systems in terms of relations (relational roles). Primarily, we address two roles of users and operators and show how these different roles involve different kinds of malfunctions. Specifically, we highlight that two kinds of malfunctions can occur in sociotechnical systems: ambiguity-based failure and expectation-based failure.

A systems analysis of the COVID-19 pandemic response in the United Kingdom – Part 1 – The overall context

The most common reaction to suggesting that we could learn valuable lessons from the way the current pandemic has been/ is being handled, is to discourage the attempt; as it is suggested that it can all be done more accurately and authoritatively after the inevitable Public Inquiry (Slater, 2019). On the other hand, a more constructive approach, is to capture and understand the work that was actually done.This would include normal activities, as well as positive adaptations to challenges and failures that may have occurred. Such an approach aimed at improving what worked, rather than blaming people for what went wrong, has the potential to contribute more successfully to controlling the consequences of the current crisis. Such an approach should thus be aimed at detecting and feeding back lessons from emerging and probably unexpected behaviours and helping to design the system to adapt better to counter the effects.The science and discipline of Human Factors (HF) promotes system resilience. This can be defined as an organisation's ability to adjust its functioning before, during or after significant disturbances (such as a pandemic), enabling adaptation and operation under both anticipated and unanticipated circumstances. A “functional” approach methodology enables the identification of where the system and its various interdependent functions (an activity or set of activities that are required to give a certain output), could be improved and strengthened; if not immediately, at least for the future. Along these lines, suggestions for adding key resilience functions are additionally identified and outlined. The application and insights gained from this functional approach to the 2015 MERS-Cov pandemic in South Korea has been seen as contributing substantially to the effective response to the current crisis in that country (Min, submitted for publication).In this paper, we present an overarching framework for a series of projects that are planned to carry out focussed systems-based analysis to generate learning from key aspects of the COVID-19 pandemic response in the United Kingdom.

Digital technologies: An exploratory study of their role in the resilience of healthcare services

Descriptions of resilient performance in healthcare services usually emphasize the role of skills and knowledge of caregivers. At the same time, the human factors discipline often frames digital technologies as sources of brittleness. This paper presents an exploratory investigation of the upside of ten digital technologies derived from Healthcare 4.0 (H4.0) in terms of their perceived contribution to six healthcare services and the four abilities of resilient healthcare: monitor, anticipate, respond, and learn. This contribution was assessed through a multinational survey conducted with 109 experts. Emergency rooms (ERs) and intensive care units (ICUs) stood out as the most benefited by H4.0 technologies. That is consistent with the high complexity of those services, which demand resilient performance. Four H4.0 technologies were top ranked regarding their impacts on the resilience of those services. They are further explored in follow-up interviews with ER and ICU professionals from hospitals in emerging and developed economies to collect examples of applications in their routines.

What is going on? Contributory factors to automation-related aviation incidents and accidents

Automation is an integral part of modern aviation operations. However, the discipline of human factors has long acknowledged its limitations and called for improved design. The aim of this study was to analyse automation-related incidents and accidents in aviation to identify recurring contributory factors. Sixteen investigation reports for incidents and accidents involving automated systems were included in the study. The reports were analysed using the AcciMap approach and a contributory factor classification scheme was applied. Results showed that multiple interacting factors from across aviation systems contribute to automation-related incidents and accidents. The most frequently identified contributory factors were associated with situation awareness, compliance with procedures and unsafe acts, judgement and decision making, design of the automation, and organizational policy and procedures relating to use of the automation. It is suggested that improving the design of automated systems to better support situation awareness, decision making and air crew performance generally would provide a safety benefit.

Rapid Development of a Hospital Checklist in a Time of COVID-19

The discipline of human factors and ergonomics is largely focused on principled development of generalizable solutions. The process is typically slow, spanning months, even years. A crisis such as the COVID-19 pandemic presents a different problem. How can human factors and ergonomics professionals react quickly, within hours or days, to provide viable solutions to unanticipated problems as they become apparent? Here we report on a small project in which we were able to respond rapidly to an emergent COVID-19 requirement. Given time constraints, we had no opportunity to follow a systematic analysis and design strategy. Our development and testing strategies reveal lessons that can be applied more generally to development of human factors and ergonomics interventions within emerging crises.

Anthropomorphizing artificial intelligence: towards a user-centered approach for addressing the challenges of over-automation and design understandability in smart homes

ABSTRACT Smart home, as a comfort and leisure providing equipment/device/object instead of its initial role of to serve, support, monitor and deliver therapy, is facing many challenges towards its successful integration with user's lifestyles. Among the current technical and social challenges – interoperability, reliability, privacy, security, consumer's lack of awareness about its benefits, costs and complexity of technology, maintenance costs, lack of incentive for internet providers etc. – take the lead among many others. Limiting the scope, this paper attempts to address challenges of (a) over-automation – a feeling regarding advanced technologies of being out-of-control, and (b) difficulty in understandability of equipment's/device's/object's design – users must be straight-forwardly able to operate them without any particular operational knowledge. Literature from the disciplines of artificial intelligence (hereinafter AI), product design (industrial engineering), human factors (ergonomics), social psychology, communication and sociology (sociological experiments) have been incorporated in this study to understand the psychology of human thought and cognition, everyday things and designer's ability of utilizing these psychologies and of users for addressing, first, the role that a smart home can play as a leisure equipment/device/object, and secondly, granting its user the control and ease of operability they desire.

Understanding Different Career Paths for Human Factors/Ergonomics Engineers

The panel consists of four Human Factors professionals from industry and academia and one non-Human Factors professional. It is designed to help Human Factors practitioners in the industry and academia to understand the various career paths available to them. The goal of the panel is to raise awareness about the different roles Human Factors engineers can transition to after extensive experience as Human Factors practitioners. The panel also intends to raise awareness that transitioning to Human Factors roles with prior experience in other disciplines brings unique skills and perspective to the Human Factors discipline.

Individual Differences in Attributes of Trust in Automation: Measurement and Application to System Design.

Computer-based automation of sensing, analysis, memory, decision-making, and control in industrial, business, medical, scientific, and military applications is becoming increasingly sophisticated, employing various techniques of artificial intelligence for learning, pattern recognition, and computation. Research has shown that proper use of automation is highly dependent on operator trust. As a result the topic of trust has become an active subject of research and discussion in the applied disciplines of human factors and human-systems integration. While various papers have pointed to the many factors that influence trust, there currently exists no consensual definition of trust. This paper reviews previous studies of trust in automation with emphasis on its meaning and factors determining subjective assessment of trust and automation trustworthiness (which sometimes but not always are regarded as an objectively measurable properties of the automation). The paper asserts that certain attributes normally associated with human morality can usefully be applied to computer-based automation as it becomes more intelligent and more responsive to its human user. The paper goes on to suggest that the automation, based on its own experience with the user, can develop reciprocal attributes that characterize its own trust of the user and adapt accordingly. This situation can be modeled as a formal game where each of the automation user and the automation (computer) engage one another according to a payoff matrix of utilities (benefits and costs). While this is a concept paper lacking empirical data, it offers hypotheses by which future researchers can test for individual differences in the detailed attributes of trust in automation, and determine criteria for adjusting automation design to best accommodate these user differences.

A preliminary ergonomic analysis of the MRI work system environment: Implications and recommendations for safety and design

IntroductionThe MRI work system environment in acute hospitals poses a significant risk of harm to patients, healthcare practitioners and others, but knowledge of hazards and potential design improvements are limited as safety research is lacking. The aim of this exploratory study was to understand how the discipline of Human Factors and Ergonomics (HFE) can support the understanding and improvement of safety and performance of MRI working environments. MethodsA multi-method study of two MRI units in Scottish acute hospital settings based on Human Factors and Ergonomics (HFE) principles was undertaken in May 2016. Data collection sources included published literature, local and national safety incident data, site observations and staff interviews which were triangulated and subject to a content analysis. ResultsA diverse range of system-wide hazards were highlighted which impact on the complexity of MRI work, patient and staff safety and system performance (e.g. adequacy of training and procedures, interactions with equipment, organisation of work). Preliminary recommendations were made to improve system design related to national approaches to safety (e.g. equipment procurement; staff training and procedural standards); interaction design and standardisation (e.g. physical design and barriers, staff uniforms, checking processes); and introduction of MRI passports for patients. ConclusionsThis exploratory study suggests the need for national co-ordination and standardisation of MRI safety management strategies, based on safety science and HFE evidence and approaches to improve system design and reduce risk to patients, staff and others. A series of provisional recommendations are offered for consideration.

Meetings and Congresses

Meetings and Congresses

Contributions from cognitive engineering to requirements specifications for complex sociotechnical systems: A case study in the context of healthcare in Brazil

AbstractThis paper aims at presenting a case study on the use of human factors and ergonomics to enhance requirement specifications for complex sociotechnical system support tools through enhancing the understanding of human performance within the business domain and the indication of high‐value requirements candidates to information technology support. This work uses methods based on cognitive engineering to build representations of the business domain, highlighting workers’ needs, and contributing to the improvement of software requirements specifications, used in the healthcare domain. As the human factors discipline fits between human sciences and technology design, we believe that its concepts can be combined with software engineering to improve understanding of how people work, enabling the design of better information technology.

Ecological Interface Design for Computer Network Defense.

A prototype ecological interface for computer network defense (CND) was developed. Concerns about CND run high. Although there is a vast literature on CND, there is some indication that this research is not being translated into operational contexts. Part of the reason may be that CND has historically been treated as a strictly technical problem, rather than as a socio-technical problem. The cognitive systems engineering (CSE)/ecological interface design (EID) framework was used in the analysis and design of the prototype interface. A brief overview of CSE/EID is provided. EID principles of design (i.e., direct perception, direct manipulation and visual momentum) are described and illustrated through concrete examples from the ecological interface. Key features of the ecological interface include (a) a wide variety of alternative visual displays, (b) controls that allow easy, dynamic reconfiguration of these displays, (c) visual highlighting of functionally related information across displays, (d) control mechanisms to selectively filter massive data sets, and (e) the capability for easy expansion. Cyber attacks from a well-known data set are illustrated through screen shots. CND support needs to be developed with a triadic focus (i.e., humans interacting with technology to accomplish work) if it is to be effective. Iterative design and formal evaluation is also required. The discipline of human factors has a long tradition of success on both counts; it is time that HF became fully involved in CND. Direct application in supporting cyber analysts.

A project management issue of new technology developments: A case study on lack of human factors’ attention in human–robot interaction

The complexity of today’s sociotechnical systems has prompted researchers and practitioners to advocate new holistic approaches to safety. However, many engineering standards, methods and processes for addressing technical, human and organizational factors do not fully reflect this. This article investigates known project management challenges and how they can explain the lack of attention to human factors issues in the design and development of new technology. As such, the work contributes to a research stream investigating why the human factors discipline is repeatedly marginalized in engineering projects. This article reports on findings from a case study – a research and innovation project developing technology and concepts for human–robot collaboration. We conclude that a narrow focus on early project phases and insufficient information coordination contribute to marginalizing the role of human factors in the design and development of new technology.

Analysis and Design of Interface for a Bio-Inspired Underwater Vehicle (BUV): Toward an Optimized Blend of Knowledge-driven and Intuitive Control

The supervisory control of unmanned vehicles is likely to be an important form of next-generation human-machine interaction. Although the effective design of control interface is critical for high-performance human-robot teams, there is little framework beyond general design principles in the Human Factors discipline. The main challenge is to find an optimal balance between knowledge-driven control functions and intuitive maneuvers. In general, the supervisory control of unmanned vehicles requires its operator to map the vehicle’s motion parameters with the set of control functions implemented in an interface. Due to the complexity of the control functions and underlying domain-specific knowledge, it usually takes significant time and efforts to learn the mapping relationship and familiarize oneself with the interface. In this regard, intuitive control interface is an obvious virtue that can save the cost of learning the interface, as well as acceptance by a larger group of users. With increasing types and numbers of unmanned vehicles/robots, a lack of intuitiveness can bring about substantial usability issues, including the cost of learning how to control a new vehicle, and the cost of switching to different types of vehicles. Despite the needs, the notion of intuitive control has little theoretical foundation, thus, difficult to implement through design practices. It is the ultimate goal of the current research to generate design principles that balance between knowledge-driven control and intuitive control by establishing an analytic framework of cognitive task monitoring. The analytic framework intends to estimate the cognitive processing underlying a sequence of control actions, thereby, provides empirical evidence of intuitiveness versus knowledge-dependency in control. The current research uses a Bio-inspired Underwater Vehicles (BUV) to apply the analytic framework under a variety of operational scenarios to monitor the operator interaction. To evaluate the degree of intuitiveness versus knowledge-dependency, the existent interface built in LabVIEW (Ver. 2017, National Instruments, Corp., Austin, TX) is being tested on a group of experts and novices under a variety of task scenarios. As a result, the current interface is evaluated regarding the cost of learning, i.e. the degree of reliance on knowledge, and the cost of switching to different control functions, i.e. the degree of counter-intuitiveness. Finally, the analytic outcomes lead to the redesign of the interface.

Interaction Design and Metaphor through a Physical and Digital Taxonomy

This research aims to formalize the fundamental relationship between user experience, interaction, and metaphors. By doing so, we provide a tool and a methodology to enable the classification of interactive products and consequently propose some guidelines for designing interactive products. In complement, we make explicit the notion of metaphors in interaction design through three dimensions: the environment, the product (target), and the perceived reference (source). We finally define a theoretical model of user experience and interaction (experiential interaction) containing human affective and cognitive processes. This research establishes a taxonomy of interactive products based on a survey in which 176 participants evaluated 50 interactive products. This research can be of interest for researchers in interactive products from disciplines of user experience design, human factors, computer science, artificial intelligence, and design science.

Human Factors in Healthcare: A Field Guide to Continuous Improvement

Abstract Have you ever experienced the burden of an adverse event or a near-miss in healthcare and wished there was a way to mitigate it? This book walks you through a classic adverse event as a case study and shows you how. It is a practical guide to continuously improving your healthcare environment, processes, tools, and ultimate outcomes, through the discipline of human factors. Using this book, you as a healthcare professional can improve patient safety and quality of care. Adverse events are a major concern in healthcare today. As the complexity of healthcare increases-with technological advances and information overload-the field of human factors offers practical approaches to understand the situation, mitigate risk, and improve outcomes. The first part of this book presents a human factors conceptual framework, and the second part offers a systematic, pragmatic approach. Both the framework and the approach are employed to analyze and understand healthcare situations, both proactively-for constant ...