Document Type
Article
Publication Date
2018
Department
Industrial Engineering
Abstract
Background—Challenges persist regarding how to integrate computing effectively into the exam room, while maintaining patient-centered care. Purpose—Our objective was to evaluate a new exam room design with respect to the computing layout, which included a wall-mounted monitor for ease of (re)-positioning. Methods—In a lab-based experiment, 28 providers used prototypes of the new and older “legacy” outpatient exam room layouts in a within-subject comparison using simulated patient encounters. We measured efficiency, errors, workload, patient-centeredness (proportion of time the provider was focused on the patient), amount of screen sharing with the patient, workflow integration, and provider situation awareness. Results—There were no statistically significant differences between the exam room layouts for efficiency, errors, or time spent focused on the patient. However, when using the new layout providers spent 75% more time in screen sharing activities with the patient, had 31% lower workload, and gave higher ratings for situation awareness (14%) and workflow integration (17%). Conclusions—Providers seemed to be unwilling to compromise their focus on the patient when the computer was in a fixed position in the corner of the room and, as a result, experienced greater workload, lower situation awareness, and poorer workflow integration when using the old “legacy” layout. A thoughtful design of the exam room with respect to the computing may positively impact providers’ workload, situation awareness, time spent in screen sharing activities, and workflow integration.
Original Publication Information
Dustin T. Weiler, Tyler Satterly, Shakaib U. Rehman, Maury A. Nussbaum, Neale R. Chumbler, Gary M. Fischer & Jason J. Saleem (2018) Ambulatory Clinic Exam Room Design with respect to Computing Devices: A Laboratory Simulation Study, IISE Transactions on Occupational Ergonomics and Human Factors, 6:3-4, 165-177, DOI: 10.1080/24725838.2018.1456988
ThinkIR Citation
Weiler, Dustin T.; Satterly, Tyler; Rehman, Shakaib U.; Nussbaum, Maury A.; Chumbler, Neale R.; Fischer, Gary M.; and Saleem, Jason J., "Ambulatory Clinic Exam Room Design with respect to Computing Devices: A Laboratory Simulation Study" (2018). Faculty and Staff Scholarship. 411.
https://ir.library.louisville.edu/faculty/411
DOI
10.1080/24725838.2018.1456988
ORCID
0000-0002-7397-5170
Comments
This is an author manuscript of an article published in final edited form as:
IISE Trans Occup Ergon Hum Factors. 2018 ; 6(3-4): 165–177. doi:10.1080/24725838.2018.1456988.