People, Technology, and Complex Work in Healthcare

Motivation – Healthcare are rapidly replacing manual with computerized artefacts for many reasons, but the impact on users of the technology is often assumed to be neutral. Approach – Three presentations of the increasingly more intensive use of computer technology in healthcare will be discussed by panelists and audience to explore the problem space. A closing presentation will highlight issues in designing technology that is both usable and useful to frontline workers. Originality/Value – There is great pressure to speed up the introduction of technology in healthcare, but a “rush to implementation” risks serious design problems. Take away message – Technological artefacts are introduced to meet many needs, but if users’ needs are not taken into account, the technology may founder or be subverted.