Presentation
It’s Fine, I’m Fine, Everything is Fine: Uncovering Root Causes in Medical Human Factors Research When the Participant Cannot Offer One
SessionPoster Session 1
DescriptionIn an ideal human factors usability testing session, all participants who are asked to evaluate a medical device system would demonstrate use in such a way that supports a manufacturer’s claim that intended users would be able to use the system in the intended use environment without serious use problems. More often than not, however, participants are likely to encounter use problems (e.g., use errors, close calls, or difficulties) when performing task scenarios during their session. Understanding what happens when use problems arise is a key first step for improving design. But, in the world of medical human factors research, it is insufficient to simply acknowledge that a use problem has occurred. An equal, if not more important aspect of usability research in the medical human factors space, is to understand “why” or “how” such use problems occurred.
As human factors researchers, we rely heavily on the post-test interview with the participant to identify and assess potential root cause(s) to any use errors or other use-related problems observed. In our experience, when asked a standard set of questions by the moderator to initiate the root cause analysis discussion, participants have largely been forthcoming in offering insights on the true root cause(s) of issues they encountered while using the medical device system under evaluation. However, inevitably, there are those participants who are (1) unable to pinpoint any possible contributing factors for their confusions OR (2) blame themselves and insist that "everything about the system is fine" and that "it was just me.” In these situations, human factors researchers are tasked with exploring alternative methods to better understand the participant’s experience, and ultimately determine why the participant interacted with the system in the way that they did.
In this presentation, we aim to discuss the methods, techniques, and approaches we have explored over the past 15+ years as human factors practitioners, that have helped us uncover potential root causes when participants have either resorted to assigning blame to themselves, or are otherwise unable to explain or identify potential root causes for their use problems encountered. Application of these learnings are relevant for conducting root cause analysis discussions with both adult and adolescent and/or pediatric participants.
As human factors researchers, we rely heavily on the post-test interview with the participant to identify and assess potential root cause(s) to any use errors or other use-related problems observed. In our experience, when asked a standard set of questions by the moderator to initiate the root cause analysis discussion, participants have largely been forthcoming in offering insights on the true root cause(s) of issues they encountered while using the medical device system under evaluation. However, inevitably, there are those participants who are (1) unable to pinpoint any possible contributing factors for their confusions OR (2) blame themselves and insist that "everything about the system is fine" and that "it was just me.” In these situations, human factors researchers are tasked with exploring alternative methods to better understand the participant’s experience, and ultimately determine why the participant interacted with the system in the way that they did.
In this presentation, we aim to discuss the methods, techniques, and approaches we have explored over the past 15+ years as human factors practitioners, that have helped us uncover potential root causes when participants have either resorted to assigning blame to themselves, or are otherwise unable to explain or identify potential root causes for their use problems encountered. Application of these learnings are relevant for conducting root cause analysis discussions with both adult and adolescent and/or pediatric participants.
Event Type
Poster Presentation
TimeMonday, March 234:45pm - 6:15pm EDT
LocationRhinelander Gallery
Medical and Drug Delivery Devices