Human Factors Design Research Articles

Human factors considerations of Interaction between wearers and intelligent lower-limb prostheses: a prospective discussion.

Compared to traditional lower-limb prostheses (LLPs), intelligent LLPs are more versatile devices with emerging technologies, such as microcontrollers and user-controlled interfaces (UCIs). As emerging technologies allow a higher level of automation and more involvement from wearers in the LLP setting adjustments, the previous framework established to study human factors elements that affect wearer-LLP interaction may not be sufficient to understand the new elements (e.g., transparency) and dynamics in this interaction. In addition, the increased complexity of interaction amplifies the limitations of the traditional evaluation approaches of wearer-LLP interaction. Therefore, to ensure wearer acceptance and adoption, from a human factors perspective, we propose a new framework to introduce elements and usability requirements for the wearer-LLP interaction. This paper organizes human factors elements that appear with the development of intelligent LLP technologies into three aspects: wearer, device, and task by using a classic model of the human-machine systems. By adopting Nielsen's five usability requirements, we introduce learnability, efficiency, memorability, use error, and satisfaction into the evaluation of wearer-LLP interaction. We identify two types of wearer-LLP interaction. The first type, direct interaction, occurs when the wearer continuously interacts with the intelligent LLP (primarily when the LLP is in action); the second type, indirect interaction, occurs when the wearer initiates communication with the LLP usually through a UCI to address the current or foreseeable challenges. For each type of interaction, we highlight new elements, such as device transparency and prior knowledge of the wearer with the UCI. In addition, we redefine the usability goals of two types of wearer-LLP interaction with Nelson's five usability requirements and review methods to evaluate the interaction. Researchers and designers for intelligent LLPs should consider the new device elements that may additionally influence wearers' acceptance and the need to interpret findings within the constraints of the specific wearer and task characteristics. The proposed framework can also be used to organize literature and identify gaps for future directions. By adopting the holistic usability requirements, findings across empirical studies can be more comparable. At the end of this paper, we discuss research trends and future directions in the human factors design of intelligent LLPs.

Prompt engineering with a large language model to assist providers in responding to patient inquiries: a real-time implementation in the electronic health record.

Large language models (LLMs) can assist providers in drafting responses to patient inquiries. We examined a prompt engineering strategy to draft responses for providers in the electronic health record. The aim was to evaluate the change in usability after prompt engineering. A pre-post study over 8 months was conducted across 27 providers. The primary outcome was the provider use of LLM-generated messages from Generative Pre-Trained Transformer 4 (GPT-4) in a mixed-effects model, and the secondary outcome was provider sentiment analysis. Of the 7605 messages generated, 17.5% (n = 1327) were used. There was a reduction in negative sentiment with an odds ratio of 0.43 (95% CI, 0.36-0.52), but message use decreased (P < .01). The addition of nurses after the study period led to an increase in message use to 35.8% (P < .01). The improvement in sentiment with prompt engineering suggests better content quality, but the initial decrease in usage highlights the need for integration with human factors design. Future studies should explore strategies for optimizing the integration of LLMs into the provider workflow to maximize both usability and effectiveness.

Designing a Data Dashboard for Health Departments and Overdose Fatality Review Teams

IntroductionOverdose Fatality Review (OFR) teams within health departments rely on data from multiple isolated sources to study the opioid crisis. Recently, we linked electronic health record data with state agency data to form a regional Substance Misuse Data Commons (SMDC) using privacy-preserving record linkage. Our goal in this study was to use human factors design principles to design a data dashboard for OFR teams using the linked datasets that will overcome current barriers within OFR workflows. MethodsWe utilized NASA task load surveys, semi-structured interviews, and design sessions with end users to identify data needs for an optimal dashboard design. We assessed current workloads, data collection processes, and desired future state. We subsequently performed iterative design sessions for the generation and evaluation of low-fidelity prototypes. To overcome issues with privacy and security, we used synthetic data in a cloud-based platform to represent the SMDC for simulation. ResultsEleven OFR organizers participated. Pre-dashboard surveys on existing workflow showed high mental workload associated with data aggregation and case review, identifying a need for more accessible, comprehensive data. In our low-fidelity dashboard demo with synthetic data, iterative design adjustments were made in data visualization, storyline organizations, and theme-based data aggregation across pre-hospital and hospital data. ConclusionsWe refined the data dashboard prototype into a high-fidelity version, set for further usability and human factors evaluation. We addressed privacy and security concerns through synthetic data use while the real-world data is maintained in a HIPAA-secure Azure cloud environment with access for approved users.

Comparison of design education documents and the disconnect between designer priorities, tools, and occupant assumptions

While low-level physiological human-factor design strategies have long been discussed in the literature, these design methods are infrequently seen in architecture education and licensure requirements – leaving designers to think about future occupants on their own. In this paper, we study underlying causes of perceptions–and misperceptions–as to the role human factors play in the design process. We present findings from a large-scale textual analysis supported by two studies: (1) building users assume a higher integration of human factors in design tools than how designers perceive the integration and (2) designers place higher importance on less tangible design concepts than building users. Our findings suggest design tools that can augment the knowledge of designers with respect to human physiology and crowd simulations are pertinent to current workflows. We also infer there are likely additional important-to-explore disconnections between users and designers.

DESIGN NEEDS AND PERCEPTIONS OF OLDER ADULTS REGARDING SHARED-USE AUTOMATED VEHICLES

Abstract Many communities struggle to provide safe, accessible, and reliable transportation services for older adults due to high demand, rising costs, driver shortages, and other evolving challenges. Innovative transportation solutions are needed to support the current and future populations of older adults. Low-speed, shared-use, driverless shuttles present an exciting development in automated vehicle (AV) technology with potential to meet mobility needs of older adults in their community. Understanding older adults’ perceptions about and willingness to consider using these emerging modes of transportation is vital to realizing the full potential of these technologies. This presentation summarizes an in-person study conducted with 12 older (average: 66 +/- 4 years of age, range: 60 to 80 years) and 10 younger (average: 44 +/- 11 years) adults that evaluated a stationary, proof-of-concept shared-use AV retrofitted with accessibility features. We will present findings on perceptions regarding accessibility, safety, and willingness to use driverless AVs along with human factors design recommendations. While questionnaire-based studies have been the dominant approach to understanding older adults’ perceptions about shared-use AVs, in-person evaluations even with prototype AVs as described here, provide opportunities to identify goals, needs and preferences of older adults concerning usability and safety in early design stages, and through hands-on exploration help older adults develop good mental models, i.e., understand AV capabilities and limitations, towards building trust and acceptance for these emerging modes of transportation. Research and policy implications will be discussed towards enabling emerging driverless shared-use AV technologies that support safe and independent community mobility for older adults.

Improved ergonomic layout design of metro control center based on virtual simulation technology and genetic algorithm

For the existing control center layout methods do not have targeted measures to implement human factors requirements, this paper puts forward a specific human factors design method for metro control center layout. This method covers the overall process of ergonomic standards and actual engineering requirements in personal space determination, overall location design, and personnel post layout. It introduces discrete personnel simulation to assist in physical control center layout design for the controllers’ safety. To make the posts between the unified lines and the connections between the lines more reasonable, an improved genetic algorithm is used to solve the Systematic Layout Planning. This design flow and algorithm can be quickly adapted according to the project's actual needs and the application of human factors guidelines. This method is also suitable for the layout planning and design of similar large spaces, large numbers of people, and complex associated control centers.

Interpreting regenerated post-industrial lands as green spaces: Comparing public perceptions of post-industrial landscapes using human factor design framework

Urban green spaces shaped by the post-industrial landscape possess distinctive characteristics and aesthetic features due to the exceptional properties of industrial remains. Previous studies have indicated that various types of urban green spaces without industrial remains, such as urban parks, waterfronts, and streets, have a positive impact on the public's physiological and psychological well-being. However, the extent and mechanisms of the public's response to post-industrial landscapes remain unclear. To investigate mechanisms of public perceptions of and preferences for post-industrial landscape types and elements, we conducted quantitative analysis by coupling multimodal data and comparative or difference analyses among urban green spaces. We conducted a randomized controlled experiment with 48 participants who viewed images of different combinations of post-industrial landscapes in a distraction-free environment. After a pause, Positive-Negative perception and Preference questionnaires were completed. Eye tracking data were recorded during the experiment. Changes in electrodermal activity and heart rate variability were used to measure physiological stress. This study employed Pearson's correlation model to examine the relationships between objective data and subjective data. The ANOVA test was utilized to investigate the variability of objective and subjective data across different groups. Additionally, a multiple-stepwise regression model was employed to analyze the specific influencing factors and their respective degrees of influence. We found that (1) artificial landscape elements in post-industrial landscapes were more appealing to participants and heightened their sense of stress; natural landscape elements can alleviate stress and promote restoration. (2) The percentage of flowering shrub and tree elements was significantly positively correlated with preference, while the percentage of ground-covering plant elements was significantly negatively correlated with preference. (3) Industrial construction was significantly positively correlated with the sense of historical value while industrial construction and pavement elements negatively correlated with preference. However, pavement elements significantly mitigated the sense of insecurity, poor accessibility, and pollution risk. (4) Industrial construction and pavement distinguished the post-industrial landscape from other green spaces without industrial remains while maximizing historical value and curiosity helped increase positive effects. Although impact mechanisms of natural elements in other green spaces without industrial remains showed homogeneous similarities, the scene composed of industrial mixed with natural elements may lead to different perceptions. Our findings indicate that multimodal data coupled with comparative analysis of multiple green space types can help to fully identify mechanisms by which landscape types and elements influence public perceptions and preferences. This understanding can help increase public satisfaction with post-industrial landscapes and enable researchers to determine the sustainability of post-industrial sites using interrogative design.

Human Factors Design and Evaluation of China’s Space Manipulator Teleoperation System

Space manipulators are important for the assembly, construction, operation, and maintenance of space stations. To ensure that the manipulator system on the China Space Station (CSS) is user-friendly, the human factors engineering team has carried out extensive studies on the human factors design and evaluation of the space manipulator teleoperation system from three aspects: the technical process, research on ergonomic requirements, and ergonomic evaluation. This article systematically combs the technical process and index system of the human factors design and requirements research on CSS manipulator teleoperation system, which has guided the optimization of space manipulator engineering. This article expounds the research work on ergonomic requirements and suggestions related to manipulator teleoperation through experimental research on cognitive characteristics and human factors in display and control interfaces. We focus on human factors experimental research for camera type and handle polarity, and a recommended scheme for camera display and handle polarity has been screened out accordingly. Finally, the human-in-the-loop ergonomic evaluation method is demonstrated with a cooperative manual control task. The research results have facilitated the human factors design and optimization improvement of the space manipulator manipulator system, and have contributed significantly to the safe and smooth completion of astronaut extravehicular activities on the CSS.

Developing human factors design guidelines for marine electronics — the case of S-mode

Human factors issues with navigation equipment have been identified as a challenge to safe and efficient maritime operations. A reason behind the issues is the lack of guidance from regulatory agencies, particularly regarding interface design. The International Maritime Organisation (IMO) has taken measures to address the situation, an example of which is the development of Circular MSC.1/Circ.1609 Guidelines for the Standardisation of User Interface Design for Navigation Equipment. This article presents a case study on the development of MSC.1/Circ.1609. An in-depth analysis was conducted using multiple sources of data to identify influential factors behind key events and provide recommendations for similar future initiatives. The data used in the study include interviews with major stakeholders, official reports of the development work, and personal records of members of the development team. The study finds the development of MSC.1/Circ.1609 to be affected by the politics of decision-making at the IMO, the difficulties associated with developing implementable technical regulations, and the rigid nature of IMO working procedures. The findings suggest that successful human factors regulations should address the requirements of both end-users and implementors, which are equipment manufacturers in this case. This study also identifies characteristics of IMO working principles that should be considered to improve the application of human factors in the maritime field.

Designing a greywater treatment system in a highly adaptive urban environment: an ergonomics and human factors observational analysis

ABSTRACT Unplanned, high-density settlements in low-middle income countries often lack functional wastewater management systems. Nature-based solutions, such as constructed wetlands, are an option for the treatment of greywater, provided they are used by and useful to the community. We explored the effectiveness of iterative design for two pilot constructed wetlands in an informal settlement in Johannesburg, South Africa. Using ergonomics and human factors (E/HF) design approaches, this study evaluated the usability and postural risks associated with interactions with the constructed wetlands to motivate (and evaluate) design changes to increase use and reduce the risk of musculoskeletal pain. An elevated work area reduced musculoskeletal risks and a larger work area allowed more users at one time. The raised work areas provided other benefits such as stormwater and sewerage protection. The value of E/HF as part of a broader transdisciplinary team was demonstrated by embedding the design in the activities of the community.

Gambling disorder and other behavioral addictions: mechanisms, recognition and treatment

AbstractGambling disorder was reclassified as a first behavioral addiction in the DSM-5 in 2013. In 2018, gaming disorder was included in the ICD-11. In this presentation, research findings regarding the psychological and neurobiological mechanisms in gambling disorder and other behavioral addictions are highlighted. Specifically, neural and behavioral responses regarding reward expectation, reward outcomes, and the role of specific mechanisms in gambling like near wins, and in gaming, like lootboxes are highlighted. Besides the recognition of gambling disorder, the broader perspective of gambling harms is highlighted and related to psychosocial, financial, and health consequences. The perspective of interaction between human design factors (e.g. psychological and neurobiological mechanisms, such as decision making, reward processing) and gambling design factors (e.g. near wins, multiline betting) is reviewed. Evidence with regard to psychological and pharmacological interventions are discussed and future directions for research perspectives are discussed.Disclosure of InterestA. Goudriaan Grant / Research support from: Anna Goudriaan received grants from the Dutch Foundation for Scientific Research (NWO and ZonMw) and from VCVGZ Foundation

Human Factors and User Experience in At-Home Dialysis Treatment Technology and Patient Procedures

At-home dialysis treatments are becoming increasingly common as suitable options for renal disease treatment. However, the nature of self-administered, at-home dialysis presents specific medical risks and unsupervised patient experiences that require unique attention by health professionals. This study utilized Arhippainen’s ten user experience heuristics to evaluate and identify strengths and weaknesses of at-home dialysis treatments while suggesting methods to improve the at-home patient experience. Results of our heuristic assessment showed that some at-home dialysis providers consider patient needs and consider human factor design aspects. However, patient experience can still be improved by implementing UX principles aimed at providing a satisfying and positive interaction with products and services.

Implementation of a clinical decision support alert to prevent use of intravenous β-blockers and nondihydropyridine calcium channel blockers in hospitalized patients with acute decompensated heart failure.

Intravenous (IV) β-blockers (BBs) and nondihydropyridine calcium channel blockers (NDCCBs) are harmful in patients with acute decompensated heart failure (ADHF), but they are commonly used for rate control in atrial fibrillation (AF). This study evaluated the implementation of a clinical decision support (CDS) alert in the electronic health record (EHR) to prevent the use of these agents for AF in patients with ADHF, as well as results from the alert's continuous quality improvement. This was a single-center, retrospective, quasi-experimental pre/post analysis of hospitalized adult patients with an ejection fraction of less than 40% documented during their encounter. Groups corresponding to encounters before and after introduction of the alert were compared, and the first version of the alert was compared to its second version that was refined by iterative design. For all patient hospital encounters, the rate of IV BB and NDCCB orders decreased in the period after alert implementation from 16.2% to 12% (P < 0.001). The alert's override rate decreased from 83.8% for the first version to 70.1% after iterative design (P = 0.015). This study demonstrates that a CDS alert can be used in the EHR to reduce the use of potentially harmful IV BBs and NDCCBs in patients with ADHF for rate control. User compliance with the alert was improved by applying human factors design principles and iterative design during continuous quality improvement.

Examining human factors and ergonomics aspects in a manufacturing organisation’s metrics system: measuring up to stakeholder needs

This research examines the status of human factors and ergonomics (HF/E) metrics in the case context of product realisation in an electronics manufacturing company. Interactions with 100+ stakeholders over a five year period were thematically analysed for metrics-related views and content. A disconnect between engineering metrics and HF/E metrics was evident. Engineers and HF/E specialists expressed different understandings of the gap between the disciplines and how to generate HF/E metrics that would fit the organisation. Other emerging themes provided insight for metrics development including improving indicator relatability, considerations for communication of information, and barriers to implementation of metrics. The results led to seven recommendations to help guide practitioners in developing and refining HF/E metrics as part of an organisation’s metrics system. This macroergonomic case study provides key points for consideration when developing HF/E focussed metrics to support organisations being more proactive with HF/E in work system design. Practitioner summary: Metrics’ presence, stakeholder views on metrics, and metrics-related content in a case organisation were thematically analysed with a macroergonomics focus. Human factors and ergonomics metrics (HF/E) were disconnected from engineering metrics thus limiting the design team’s ability to handle human factors in design. Factors influencing HF/E metrics creation and integration were identified, resulting in seven recommendations for developing HF/E metrics.

Concept of Operations as a Boundary Object for Knowledge Sharing in the Design of Robotic Swarms

Designing a swarm of autonomous robots for commercial, military, or other purposes is a challenging engineering and human factors design effort. The challenges argue in favor of practices and tools for better integration of different engineering disciplines and for the advancement of communication between stakeholders with different interests. The Concept of Operations (ConOps) approach is widely used in Systems Engineering for this purpose. A ConOps is a high-level description of how the elements of a system and entities in its environment interact in order to achieve their stated goals. This paper will present the development of a ConOps for a swarm of autonomous robotic vehicles in the military domain to demonstrate how autonomic robotic swarms can be deployed in different military branches in the future. The proposed ConOps can be considered as a boundary object in the design, validation, or procurement of an autonomous robotic swarm system. We also propose that the ConOps should be maintained throughout the system life-cycle as an overview description and definition of overall goals and policies.

Perceived Workload Using Separate (Filtering Facepiece Respirator and Face Shield) and Powered Air-Purifying Respirator and Integrated Lightweight Protective Air-Purifying Respirator: Protocol for an International Multisite Human Factors Randomized Crossover Feasibility Study.

The design of personal protective equipment (PPE) may affect well-being and clinical work. PPE as an integrated item may improve usability and increase adherence by healthcare professionals. Human factors design and safety may reduce occupational-acquired diseases. As an integrated PPE, a lightweight protective air-purifying respirator (L-PAPR) could be used during health procedures where healthcare professionals are exposed to airborne pathogens. The human factors affecting the implementation of alternative PPE such as L-PAPR have not been thoroughly studied. The population of interest is health care professionals, the intervention is the performance by PPE during tasks across the three PPE types 1.) N95 respirators and face shields, 2.)traditional powered air-purifying respirator(PAPR), and 3.) L-PAPR. The outcomes are user error, communications, safety, and end-user preferences. This study will assess whether the L-PAPR improves health care professionals' comfort in terms of perceived workload and physical and psychological burden during direct patient care when compared with the traditional PAPR or N95 and face shield. This study also aims to evaluate human factors during the comparison of the use of L-PAPR with a combination of N95 respirators plus face shields or the traditional PAPRs. This is an interventional randomized crossover quality improvement feasibility study consisting of a 3-site simulation phase with 10 participants per site and subsequent field testing in 2 sites with 30 participants at each site. The 3 types of respiratory PPE will be compared across medical tasks and while donning and doffing. We will evaluate the user's perceived workload, usability, usage errors, and heart rate. We will conduct semistructured interviews to identify barriers and enablers to implementation across each PPE type over a single continuous wear episode and observe interpersonal communications across conditions and PPE types. We expect the research may highlight communication challenges and differences in usability and convenience across PPE types along with error frequency during PPE use across PPE types, tasks, and time. The design of PPE may affect overall well-being and hinder or facilitate clinical work. Combining 2 pieces of PPE into a single integrated item may improve usability and reduce occupational-acquired diseases. The human factors affecting the implementation of an alternative PPE such as L-PAPR or PAPR have not been thoroughly studied. PRR1-10.2196/36549.

The petroleum industry fails to uncover valuable human error lessons from incidents – Are you making the same mistakes?

Problems occur even when individual system components function correctly; therefore, we must carefully evaluate what happens at the interfaces between those components, as well as the resulting effect of their interactions. Human factors design and human-machine integration, which assess interfaces affecting humans and overall system performance respectively, have been consistently pursued in an integrated fashion for decades now in space programs. Unfortunately, reliability engineering and other approaches used in industries with very different requirements than those in aerospace have been replacing many of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) successful system safety practices over recent years.This paper highlights Root Cause Analysis (RCA) practices traditional in the space industry's investigations that have been found absent or not thoroughly applied in the petroleum industry. The purpose is to stress their value and their need by showing how their absence hinders learning from incidents. The scope was limited to human factors integration into incident investigations.

Comparative Evaluation of Twelve Automotive CMS Display Layout Designs in Two Lane Change Task Scenarios

Recently, the automotive industry has shown a growing interest in replacing conventional automotive mirrors with camera monitor systems (CMS) as CMS may provide multiple advantages, including the enhancement of driving safety through the human factors design of display layout. Despite past research, however, pertinent CMS display layout design guidelines have not been firmly established, due to insufficient empirical knowledge. To alleviate the current research gaps and inform the optimal design, this study comparatively evaluated twelve CMS display layout designs employing driving performance and eye glance behavior measures: six separate display layouts (three with the side-view displays near the A-pillars, and, three, on each side of the steering wheel), and, six integrated display layouts (three “segmented” and three “stitched” view layouts). Each design was evaluated in a safety-critical and a less safety-critical lane change scenario. The study demonstrated that the display layout design effects could vary across different driving task scenarios.

A Simple Tool to Evaluate Color for Legibility and Distinguishability when Designing Digital Displays

Color is important in helping users effectively process information like text and symbols when performing tasks on digital displays. Interface designers in safety- and mission-critical industries often utilize human factors design guidelines and standards to make important design decisions like the use of color for legibility and distinguishability. However, such guidance sometimes requires additional interpretation and calculation to readily apply to the design question at hand. This work describes a simple tool that can be used to evaluate the adequacy of color choices from a palette for being legible or distinguishable. The tool eliminates having to manually convert colors to a readable format while providing a specific set of colors that are acceptable from select human factors standards. This paper provides an exemplary case study applied to a digital modification at a nuclear power plant to highlight how the tool may be used in safety-and mission-critical industries.

Kepatuhan Penggunaan Alat Pelindung Diri pada Petugas Kesehatan di Rumah Sakit melalui Pengembangan Metode Human Factor Design: Kajian Literatur

Background: PPE noncompliance by health workers found in many hospitals due to knowledge, facilities, and environmental factors, increases the risk of nosocomial infections. Personal protective equipment (PPE) compliance for health workers is an important aspec of infection control and prevention. The purpose of this study is to identify the developments of human factor design’s method and its effectiveness in increasing PPE compliance for health workers based on a literature review.Methods: The method used in this paper is a literature review. Data was taken through journals obtained by searching Garuda Ristekdikti, Google Scholar, and Science Direct. Articles selected based on some criteria including: topics of PPE compliance among health workers at hospital, publication year 2012-2021, full text articles, and written in Indonesian or English.Results: Literature review of 6 articles, show that human factor design is one of the standard interventions that can be applied to improve the quality of human resources by considering 3 system domains including physical, cognitive, dan organizational. Increasing standard precautions and transmission through poster media, comprehensive education with edutainment videos, and controling by supervision can provide effectiveness in increasing PPE compliance for health workers in hospitals.Conclusion: It can be concluded that compliance with the use of PPE for health workers can be improved through human factor design program.