Usability challenges in the use of medical devices in the home environment: a systematic review of literature
Author(s)
Tase, Arkeliana
Vadhwana, Bhamini
Buckle, Peter
Hanna, George B
Type
Journal Article
Abstract
Background
Home care medical devices are the fastest-growing segment of the medical device industry with associated safety and usability challenges. Human factor studies in the home environment present many difficulties resulting in limited knowledge of device use in this setting. This systematic review aims to identify usability challenges reported directly by end-users in the home environment.
Methods
A systematic review of the literature was conducted concentrating on studies involving end user reporting. Reported challenges were grouped into a) device-user, b) device use environment and c) device-user interface challenges.
Results
3471 studies were screened and 202 underwent full-text review. Only twelve studies had direct involvement of end users. Multiple challenges were identified, with device-user interface problems being the most common. No effective, standardised method was found to collect patient/user feedback on usability challenges in the post-market stage, leading to a knowledge gap.
Conclusions
This study brought together multiple usability challenges reported by individual studies. Involvement of medical device end-users in usability studies is essential and their experiences must be effectively utilised in device design.
Home care medical devices are the fastest-growing segment of the medical device industry with associated safety and usability challenges. Human factor studies in the home environment present many difficulties resulting in limited knowledge of device use in this setting. This systematic review aims to identify usability challenges reported directly by end-users in the home environment.
Methods
A systematic review of the literature was conducted concentrating on studies involving end user reporting. Reported challenges were grouped into a) device-user, b) device use environment and c) device-user interface challenges.
Results
3471 studies were screened and 202 underwent full-text review. Only twelve studies had direct involvement of end users. Multiple challenges were identified, with device-user interface problems being the most common. No effective, standardised method was found to collect patient/user feedback on usability challenges in the post-market stage, leading to a knowledge gap.
Conclusions
This study brought together multiple usability challenges reported by individual studies. Involvement of medical device end-users in usability studies is essential and their experiences must be effectively utilised in device design.
Date Issued
2022-09
Date Acceptance
2022-04-05
Citation
Applied Ergonomics: human factors in technology and society, 2022, 103
ISSN
0003-6870
Publisher
Elsevier
Journal / Book Title
Applied Ergonomics: human factors in technology and society
Volume
103
Copyright Statement
© 2022 The Authors. Published by Elsevier Ltd. This is an open access article under the CC BY license (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/).
License URL
Identifier
https://www.webofscience.com/api/gateway?GWVersion=2&SrcApp=PARTNER_APP&SrcAuth=LinksAMR&KeyUT=WOS:000799850200002&DestLinkType=FullRecord&DestApp=ALL_WOS&UsrCustomerID=a2bf6146997ec60c407a63945d4e92bb
Subjects
Engineering
Engineering, Industrial
Ergonomics
HEALTH-CARE
Psychology
Psychology, Applied
Science & Technology
Social Sciences
Technology
TECHNOLOGY
Publication Status
Published
Article Number
103769
Date Publish Online
2022-04-14