Human Factors Studies: The Role Of Psychological Principles In Medical Device Training Design

By Taylor Hall, Human Factors Engineer, and Brianne Pragg, Ph.D., Human Factors Engineer, Battelle

In human factors usability testing, assessing the training protocol is crucial to ensure it trains users effectively. These training programs are often conducted by commercial trainers or healthcare providers trained by the device manufacturer. The guidelines for building a training program are relatively flexible, allowing for a wide array of training methodologies and leaving many decisions to the device manufacturer.

When creating a training program for new users of medical devices or equipment, incorporating psychological principles is highly recommended. This approach helps ensure that users can operate the device or equipment safely and effectively after training, thereby mitigating any associated risks. This blog explores how psychological principles can shape the design of medical device training and highlights the significance of these principles in developing an effective training protocol for new medical device users.