The Patient Factor: A Handbook on Patient Ergonomics

INDIANAPOLIS — Technology is constantly generating innumerable important healthcare advances. But there has been significantly less work focused on how patients and clinicians interact with technology to guarantee accessibility, usability, patient safety, enhancement of clinician performance and, ultimately, health improvement.

Regenstrief Institute Research Scientist Richard Holden, PhD, is a national leader in the growing field of patient ergonomics — the application of human factors engineering and psychology to the design and evaluation of patient-facing technology to enhance health.

He is the co-editor (along with Rupa S. Valdez, PhD, of the University of Virginia) of the newly released two volume “The Patient Factor: A Handbook on Patient Ergonomics,” targeted to medical device manufacturers, clinicians, health system administrators, and researchers. The books focus on applications of patient ergonomics in real world settings, exploring, among other elements, four areas of patient ergonomics:

• consumer health information technology;

• patient-professional communication;

• self-care

• patient safety

With the support of $3.5 million in funding from the National Institute on Aging, Dr. Holden currently is developing and testing computer apps to facilitate care for older adults with chronic conditions.

Founded in 1969 in Indianapolis, the Regenstrief Institute is a local, national and global leader dedicated to a world where better information empowers people to end disease and realize true health. A key research partner to Indiana University, Regenstrief and its research scientists are responsible for a growing number of major healthcare innovations and studies. Examples range from the development of global health information technology standards that enable the use and interoperability of electronic health records to improving patient-physician communications, to creating models of care that inform practice and improve the lives of patients around the globe.

Sam Regenstrief, a nationally successful entrepreneur from Connersville, Indiana, founded the institute with the goal of making healthcare more efficient and accessible for everyone. His vision continues to guide the institute’s research mission.

In addition to his role as a research scientist at Regenstrief Institute, Richard J. Holden, PhD, M.S., is the chief healthcare engineer for the Center for Health and Innovation and Implementation Science. Dr. Holden is an associate professor for Indiana University School of Medicine as well. In July he will assume the position of chair of Indiana University’s School of Public Health-Bloomington Department of Health & Wellness Design.

###