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Automation in health care: the need for an ergonomics-based approach

Year: 2023
Type: review
Abstract: Healthcare quality and efficiency challenges degrade outcomes and burden multiple stakeholders. Workforce shortage, burnout, and complexity of workflows necessitate effective support for patients and providers. There is interest in employing automation, or the use of 'computer[s] [to] carry out… functions that the human operator would normally perform', in health care to improve delivery of services. However, unique aspects of health care require analysis of workflows across several domains and an understanding of the ways work system factors interact to shape those workflows. Ergonomics has identified key work system issues relevant to effective automation in other industries. Understanding these issues in health care can direct opportunities for the effective use of automation in health care. This article illustrates work system considerations using two example workflows; discusses how those considerations may inform solution design, implementation, and use; and provides future directions to advance the essential role of ergonomics in healthcare automation.
Source: Ergonomics
Language: English
Field: Psychology
Open Access status: green
OpenAlex ID: W4388865863
FWCI: 0.146
Cites: 77
Cited by: 3
Related to: 10