Feature Story

Three Publications Highlight Human Factors Research

The Committee on the Role of Human Factors in Home Health Care produced three publications that highlight the importance of human factors considerations in home health care:

The Role of Human Factors in Home Health Care. This 308-page collection of papers provides an overview of a workshop where committee members and other experts discussed the broad range of issues associated with the migration of medical devices, technology, and care practices into the home. Published by the National Academies Press, 2010. A PDF of this publication for personal use is available free at http://www.nap.edu/catalog.php?record_id=12927.

Health Care Comes Home: The Human Factors. This 189-page book contains the Committee's conclusions and recommendations on the best use of human factors in home health care. Chapters also cover people involved in home health care, medical technologies, and the home environment. The report's recommendations range from guidance on the structure and usability of health IT and appropriate certification and training of formal home caregivers to facilitation of access to health- and safety-related home modifications. Published by the National Academies Press, 2011. A PDF of this publication for personal use is available free at http://www.nap.edu/catalog.php?record_id=13149.

Consumer Health Information Technology in the Home. This guide focuses on how designers and developers of health information technologies and home health professionals who select health IT for patients can apply human factors principles to select and improve tools for patients. Published by the National Academy of Sciences. A PDF of this publication for personal use is available free at http://www.nap.edu/catalog.php?record_id=13205.

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