Human Factors in Healthcare Blog

In a slightly famous scene in the comedy “Seinfeld”, George Costanza puts together a table-top recreation of a meeting room where he thinks “Susan-Memorial” board members have damaged his brief case on purpose…  He was trying to audio record them while they said unkind things about him behind his back.  You might not want the work ethic of George, but you need the insight and talent to recreate enough realism to do simulations and usability testing. 

Simply put, you need someone who can put the most effective and efficient level of realism to do usability testing during product development.  Early on, with low-fidelity testing, it could be items purchased at a hardware store that stand in as medical tubing or devices, and B&W screen prints pasted to cardboard boxes for computers or device displays.  They don’t need the talent or tools to do it all, but they will often have to be the pioneering leader to nudge or push others to get it done.  You need someone to buy the 9-drawer tool chest as a prop for medication storage cart – and worry about justifying the expense report after the prop has proved effective. 

Later in the design process, this person needs the savvy to choose between a “well dressed” usability testing lab versus a $$$/hr ICU room set-up at a medical simulation center.  I cannot imagine they will hire David Rockwell (set designer for the Oscar ceremony), but they need to lead or build the expertise to effectively create healthcare props and back-drops. 

During interviews, one good screening question is to ask them what kind of healthcare props they already have in their portfolio (basement office).  Another is to ask them what do they think of “paper prototyping”, and when did they last use it.

Next, the fifth and final key to hiring or developing a HFE & Healthcare professional.