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BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTAMP:20240325T185834Z
LOCATION:Salon C
DTSTART;TZID=America/Chicago:20240325T164500
DTEND;TZID=America/Chicago:20240325T181500
UID:HFESHCS_2024 International Symposium on Human Factors and Ergonomics i
 n Health Care_sess111_POST133@linklings.com
SUMMARY:MDD9 - Empathy in Design: The Importance of Accessibility in Inclu
 sive Health
DESCRIPTION:Poster Presentation\n\nMarco Boscolo (Noble International, Met
 aphase)\n\nThe COVID-19 pandemic forced the world to develop, produce and 
 distribute at-home COVID-19 test kits (CTK) within a short time. Initially
 , speed-to-the-shelf was prioritized over the accessibility needs of those
  with low vision (V), low dexterity (D), and age-related cognitive challen
 ges (C); those in the accessibility VDC groups are known to have a more st
 ressful user experience due to non-inclusive design. \n\nAfter CTKs were m
 ade accessible for public use, the National Institutes of Health (NIH) inv
 estigated how the CTK could be enhanced to improve usability for the VDC g
 roups. Over 24 participants of the VD or C groups were presented accessibi
 lity enhanced CTK concepts that were developed into working models based o
 n the input of accessibility subject matter expert(s). This presentation l
 ays out accessibility enhanced concepts that users liked and disliked and 
 shares why certain concepts succeeded over others. \n\nThe accessibility e
 nhanced concepts the participants evaluated included: outer packing graphi
 cs, tamper evident seals, foil tube and pouch opening and content retrieva
 l strategies, embossed quick reference codes, and foil liner peel off conc
 epts. All concepts presented to the participants were meant to enhance inc
 lusiveness for one or more of the VD or L groups. As described in the HE75
  (2009) inclusive design benefits all. Easy to use touch points, use of hi
 gh-contrast signifiers to convey affordances and appropriate placement of 
 information are examples of design enhancements meant to improve usability
  for not just the VDC users, but all users. Becoming sick with COVID-19 ca
 n be scary and stressful, by itself. Having to choose, purchase and conduc
 t a medical test on yourself while sick with COVID-19 is an even higher bu
 rden; the addition of a V, D and/or C impairment to the patient’s experien
 ce can quickly become overwhelming. \nTo lessen the fear barrier of using 
 a CTK for the first time designing CTK packaging, internal content and adm
 inistration methods with accessibility in mind, such as easy-to-read label
 s, simple opening mechanisms, and clear instructions, can enhance CTK use 
 for all patients, including those with impairments. \n\nApplying good huma
 n factor design practices— including strong consideration for accessibilit
 y needs throughout every phase in the product development journey, will go
  a long way when making the medical device less frustrating to use. Thus, 
 decreasing the stress involved with use of that medical device. Furthermor
 e, this research provides valuable insights regarding the development of m
 edical devices, not limited to COVID-19 tests, such as (1) ensuring that p
 roducts are accessible and usable by all individuals, regardless of their 
 abilities or disabilities, and (2) improving the usability of medical devi
 ces for older populations. \n\nIn summary, the research on enhancing the u
 sability of COVID-19 test kits for individuals with impairment serves as a
  foundational model for developing future medical technologies that priori
 tize accessibility and inclusivity. By integrating these principles into t
 he design and development of various healthcare applications, the healthca
 re industry can significantly improve the experiences of patients with div
 erse abilities; creating devices that are accessible to people with varyin
 g needs can help enhance healthcare experiences for users while improving 
 their independence and overall quality of life.\n\nTrack: Digital Health, 
 Simulation and Education, Hospital Environments, Medical and Drug Delivery
  Devices, Patient Safety Research and Initiatives
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