DESIGN FOR HEALTHCARE. The role of Ergonomics for Design and Human-Centred Design approach

Accident investigations suggest that the most of errors are due to deficiencies in user interface (UI) design.
Use error occurs when a user does not interact with the system in the manner intended by the designer.
Given the importance of the current challenges launched by the healthcare sector, Design for Healthcare and specifically Design for medical technologies, assistive technology and medical devices, together with Ergonomics and Human-Centred design approach have the chance to face the status quo of health and care.
The ergonomic approach to the project, and particularly, the usability evaluation and design methods of Human-Centred Design are appropriate for a field where “the phase of the product use” represents the main risk factor for users.
Special attention should be paid to an easier understanding of conditions of use and to reduce the risk factors in accordance with the potential difficulties and limitations of final users.
As a matter of fact, the project of a medical device implies the knowledge of the human factors, which focus on the interaction between the human and the system, as an instrument to minimize risks of use and ensure a safer and usable medical device.