Bethany Lowndes, PhD, MPH, CPE05.20.24
Today, engineering, particularly in the realm of medical device development involves applying principles of natural science, material science, geometry, physics and other disciplines to solve serious health challenges. In fact, acclaimed engineer Nathan Washington Dougherty once said, "The ideal engineer is a composite. He [or she] is not a scientist, he is not a mathematician, he is not a sociologist or a writer, but he may use the knowledge and techniques of any or all of these disciplines in solving engineering problems."
But beyond mathematics and materials, engineering is fundamentally about solving problems for people. Medical device engineering sits at the crossroads of innovation and functionality and serves as a showcase of modern technology and its ability to transform lives. With each precisely designed component and intricately crafted line of code, engineers push the boundaries of what's medically possible. Yet, an often-overlooked aspect of this scientific art form is its intimate relationship with human factors and ergonomics (HF/E).
While distinct disciplines, engineering and human factors are fundamentally intertwined. Engineers often find themselves making decisions that directly impact how a product or system is used. When engineers understand the cognitive and physical abilities of actual people, they are empowered to design products and systems that work in harmony with both human capabilities and limitations, boosting efficiency and reducing the likelihood of errors.
The integration of human factors in engineering isn't just a trend; it's the evolution of design philosophy—recognizing that we are not creating for hypothetical situations but for real people with diverse capabilities and limitations. This is evidenced by the expanding human-centered design methods integrated into Research & Development. The ultimate success of medical devices hinges not solely on their mechanical performance but on their usability by humans in real-world situations. Human-centered design processes take into account the different users and the use cases early in the design process.
Sound ergonomic design also means creating products that are more than just safe — they must be easy (if not enjoyable) for a person to use. Consumer products that fit within a user's physical and cognitive capabilities should be intuitively easy to use. Consider a simple blood glucose monitor. Its value isn't merely in its ability to measure blood sugar levels accurately. Its true merit lies in how easily a person with visual or motor impairments can use it, how intuitively a senior can operate it, or how comfortably it fits into the daily routine of any individual managing diabetes. In the operating room (OR), a medical device such as a drill or scope must be efficient and precise, but it also needs to fit comfortably in the hand and not cause strain during long procedures.
This is where human factors and ergonomics become a central thread in the tapestry of medical device engineering. By incorporating HF/E principles, engineers and designers can anticipate user challenges, understand the context of device application, and mitigate risks associated with device complexity.
In the realm of medical device engineering, it's critical we understand that engineers are, in essence, helping to evolve the healthcare field itself. Their work has direct implications on the health, safety and wellbeing of billions of people around the world every day. Early and ongoing incorporation of ergonomic principles into the design process is not merely an enhancement but a necessity, ensuring devices cater to the end-user's physical specifications and cognitive abilities.
The benefits of focusing on HF/E in every step of the engineering process are far-reaching, affecting not only safety and usability but also overall user adoption, product success, and the reputation of the companies that produce them, as well as the hospitals, clinics and medical professionals that use them. Products that are easy to use and that don't cause discomfort or injury tend to be more widely adopted. By considering human factors, engineering designs become more intuitive and safer to operate, contributing to a better user experience and ultimately, a more successful product.
Incorporating ergonomic principles in the design process can minimize the risk of workplace injuries and the likelihood of human error. This has major consequences. Injuries and fatigue have historically been among the leading causes of nurses leaving the profession. According to reports, on average 55% of nurses reported pain or injury to the back, and 44% reported pain or injury to the shoulder in their past year of work. Ergonomically designed workstations, tools and processes can help medical staff perform their jobs with less physical strain and with higher accuracy, leading to increased productivity and decreased costs associated with injuries.
User experience extends beyond how easy a product is to use; it encompasses the emotional response and overall satisfaction a user derives from the product. A product that is comfortable, understandable, and efficient provides a positive experience, which helps ensure that the product will be used—repeatedly—for its intended purpose.
Engineers are continuously making decisions about button click resistance, control placement, font size on displays, and many other features that directly influence how well the system will work for the intended user. They may not be specialized in human factors, but their decisions are innately influenced by principles that align with making designs more ergonomic and human friendly.
By adopting a mindset where principles of human factors are an integral part of engineering, we carve out a future where medical technology aligns more closely with the messy, imperfect, and beautiful spectrum of human experience. We make room for innovations that are not just technically sound but are also profoundly human-centric.
Bethany Lowndes, PhD, MPH, CPE—Dr. Lowndes is a human factors engineer and Certified Professional Ergonomist (CPE). She serves as the Chair of the Outreach Committee for the Human Factors and Ergonomics Society. Dr. Lowndes is an Assistant Professor at the University of Nebraska Medical Center and the Human Factors Safety Engineer with Nebraska Medicine. Her contributions to healthcare include promoting and incorporating user-centered design for medical devices and the built environment, improving clinician experience through workflow and device design, and training future generation of innovative engineers and clinicians.
But beyond mathematics and materials, engineering is fundamentally about solving problems for people. Medical device engineering sits at the crossroads of innovation and functionality and serves as a showcase of modern technology and its ability to transform lives. With each precisely designed component and intricately crafted line of code, engineers push the boundaries of what's medically possible. Yet, an often-overlooked aspect of this scientific art form is its intimate relationship with human factors and ergonomics (HF/E).
Understanding Human Factors and Ergonomics in Engineering
Human factors and ergonomics is the study of how humans interact with everything around them. It plays a crucial role in the design and application of engineering systems, aiming to optimize the human experience in terms of comfort, performance and safety.While distinct disciplines, engineering and human factors are fundamentally intertwined. Engineers often find themselves making decisions that directly impact how a product or system is used. When engineers understand the cognitive and physical abilities of actual people, they are empowered to design products and systems that work in harmony with both human capabilities and limitations, boosting efficiency and reducing the likelihood of errors.
The integration of human factors in engineering isn't just a trend; it's the evolution of design philosophy—recognizing that we are not creating for hypothetical situations but for real people with diverse capabilities and limitations. This is evidenced by the expanding human-centered design methods integrated into Research & Development. The ultimate success of medical devices hinges not solely on their mechanical performance but on their usability by humans in real-world situations. Human-centered design processes take into account the different users and the use cases early in the design process.
Sound ergonomic design also means creating products that are more than just safe — they must be easy (if not enjoyable) for a person to use. Consumer products that fit within a user's physical and cognitive capabilities should be intuitively easy to use. Consider a simple blood glucose monitor. Its value isn't merely in its ability to measure blood sugar levels accurately. Its true merit lies in how easily a person with visual or motor impairments can use it, how intuitively a senior can operate it, or how comfortably it fits into the daily routine of any individual managing diabetes. In the operating room (OR), a medical device such as a drill or scope must be efficient and precise, but it also needs to fit comfortably in the hand and not cause strain during long procedures.
This is where human factors and ergonomics become a central thread in the tapestry of medical device engineering. By incorporating HF/E principles, engineers and designers can anticipate user challenges, understand the context of device application, and mitigate risks associated with device complexity.
Human-First Practices
Modern engineering methodologies, such as user-centered design and agile development, emphasize a hands-on understanding of the end-user's needs. Such methodologies encourage engineers to integrate HF/E principles at every step of the process by working more closely with human factors professionals, conducting user testing, and iterating on designs based on real-world feedback. Recognizing the value in these practices, more and more organizations are integrating human factors assessment as a standard part of their design process, acknowledging that systems are only efficient if they are compatible with human limitations and characteristics.In the realm of medical device engineering, it's critical we understand that engineers are, in essence, helping to evolve the healthcare field itself. Their work has direct implications on the health, safety and wellbeing of billions of people around the world every day. Early and ongoing incorporation of ergonomic principles into the design process is not merely an enhancement but a necessity, ensuring devices cater to the end-user's physical specifications and cognitive abilities.
The benefits of focusing on HF/E in every step of the engineering process are far-reaching, affecting not only safety and usability but also overall user adoption, product success, and the reputation of the companies that produce them, as well as the hospitals, clinics and medical professionals that use them. Products that are easy to use and that don't cause discomfort or injury tend to be more widely adopted. By considering human factors, engineering designs become more intuitive and safer to operate, contributing to a better user experience and ultimately, a more successful product.
Incorporating ergonomic principles in the design process can minimize the risk of workplace injuries and the likelihood of human error. This has major consequences. Injuries and fatigue have historically been among the leading causes of nurses leaving the profession. According to reports, on average 55% of nurses reported pain or injury to the back, and 44% reported pain or injury to the shoulder in their past year of work. Ergonomically designed workstations, tools and processes can help medical staff perform their jobs with less physical strain and with higher accuracy, leading to increased productivity and decreased costs associated with injuries.
User experience extends beyond how easy a product is to use; it encompasses the emotional response and overall satisfaction a user derives from the product. A product that is comfortable, understandable, and efficient provides a positive experience, which helps ensure that the product will be used—repeatedly—for its intended purpose.
Engineers are continuously making decisions about button click resistance, control placement, font size on displays, and many other features that directly influence how well the system will work for the intended user. They may not be specialized in human factors, but their decisions are innately influenced by principles that align with making designs more ergonomic and human friendly.
By adopting a mindset where principles of human factors are an integral part of engineering, we carve out a future where medical technology aligns more closely with the messy, imperfect, and beautiful spectrum of human experience. We make room for innovations that are not just technically sound but are also profoundly human-centric.
Bethany Lowndes, PhD, MPH, CPE—Dr. Lowndes is a human factors engineer and Certified Professional Ergonomist (CPE). She serves as the Chair of the Outreach Committee for the Human Factors and Ergonomics Society. Dr. Lowndes is an Assistant Professor at the University of Nebraska Medical Center and the Human Factors Safety Engineer with Nebraska Medicine. Her contributions to healthcare include promoting and incorporating user-centered design for medical devices and the built environment, improving clinician experience through workflow and device design, and training future generation of innovative engineers and clinicians.