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. 2022 Jul:102:103733.
doi: 10.1016/j.apergo.2022.103733. Epub 2022 Mar 7.

Human Factors and Ergonomics (HFE) applications in responses to the COVID-19 pandemic: Lessons learned and considerations for methods

Abigail R Wooldridge  1 , Eva-Maria Carman  2 , Anping Xie  3
Affiliations

Human Factors and Ergonomics (HFE) applications in responses to the COVID-19 pandemic: Lessons learned and considerations for methods

Abigail R Wooldridge et al. Appl Ergon. 2022 Jul.

Abstract

Human Factors and Ergonomics (HFE), with the goal to support humans through system design, can contribute to responses to emergencies and crises, like the COVID-19 pandemic. In this paper, we describe three cases presented at the 21st Triennial Congress of the International Ergonomics Association to demonstrate how HFE has been applied during the COVID-19 pandemic, namely to (1) develop a mobile diagnostic testing system, (2) understand the changes within physiotherapy services, and (3) guide the transition of a perioperative pain program to telemedicine. We reflect on methodological choices and lessons learned from each case and discuss opportunities to expand the impact of HFE in responses to future emergencies. The HFE discipline should develop faster, less resource intensive but still rigorous, methods, increase available HFE expertise by growing the field, and proactively enhance individual and public perception of the importance of HFE in crisis response.

Keywords: 1. COVID-19; 2. HFE in Public health crises; 3. SEIPS.

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Conflict of interest statement

The authors declare that they have no known competing financial interests or personal relationships that could have appeared to influence the work reported in this paper.

Funding was provided by the University of Illinois System. The authors would like to thank all members of the project team, in particular Harley Johnson, Richard Fredrickson, Kirstin L. Dohrer, Vanessa Revindran-Stam and Christopher Pond.

The authors would like to thank the rest of the TSCSC team, Giulia Miles and Laura Evans, that worked on this project. Also thank you very much to the therapy department and all the staff that participated in this study.

The work is supported by a grant from the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (grant number: R01CE003150). The authors would like to thank all members of the study team, in particular Drs. Marie Hanna, Ronen Shechter, Traci Speed, Eileen McDonald, Jill Marsteller, Ayse Gurses, and Yea-Jen Hsu.

Figures

Fig. 1
Fig. 1
Summary of impact of pandemic, required modifications to HFE approach and observations. The superscript numbering in note of how project was initiated and adjustments to HFE approach link show linkages from case studies to key observations.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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