Issues of Usability

From WickedSim

Are these important?

Yes. There are two distinct aspects of 'usability and simulation':

1. Simulators may be used to assess the usability of devices used in healthcare;
2. There are 'usability issues' with many devices used in simulation!

Let's look at each of these in turn:

Assessing usability using simulation

This important field is still in its infancy. Consider for example the following report:

• Fairbanks et al.

The authors assessed the ability of 14 paramedics to use two different defibrillators in resuscitation scenarios. There were particular problems with synchronised cardioversion, which may be attributable to design of the user interface of the defibrillators.

The usability of simulator equipment

We've all encountered problems with simulator equipment. Consider the most expensive component of all --- the manikin. Hands up all of those who have damaged their METI or SimMan through giving multiple shocks to the manikin over a short period of time. (Despite allegations [1] that SimMan can withstand three stacked shocks).

The problem here is again one of design --- both manikins are not designed in a manner suitable to delivery of multiple shocks, a strange flaw in expensive manikins meant for resuscitation teaching!!

In another scary example, damaged Laerdal adaptor cables appear to have resulted in the death of two people. [2]