The opportunity and the need to apply human factors concepts and techniques to problems in medicine are discussed. Directions in which such efforts should be exerted are described. Five specific problem areas considered include health manpower shortages, medical education shortcomings, medical information system needs, diagnostic and treatment instrumentation, and the effects of medical procedures on behavior and performance.
Get full access to this article
View all access options for this article.
References
1.
LandauerA.MilnerG.PutmanJ.Alcohol and amitriptyline effects on skills related to driving behavior. Science, 1969, 163, 1467–1468.
2.
NeurathP.EnsleinK.MitchellW.Jr.Design of a computer system to assist in differential pre-operative diagnosis for pelvic surgery. New England Journal of Medicine, 1969, 280, 745–749.
3.
RappaportM.Further considerations about the what and how of field testing. Paper presented at the Western Psychological Association Meeting, Seattle, Washington, 1961.
4.
RappaportM.Mental health research: An attempt at a balanced program. Mental Hygiene, 1968, 52, 110–123.
5.
RappaportM.Attention to competing voice messages by non-acute schizophrenic patients: Effects of message load, drugs, dosage levels and patient background. Journal of Nervous and Mental Diseases, 1968, 146, 404–411.
6.
RappaportM.HopkinsH. K.Drug effects on auditory attention in paranoid and non-paranoid schizophrenics. Journal of Nervous and Mental Diseases, 1969 (in press).
7.
SidelV. W.Feldshers and feldsherism, the role and training of the feldsher in the U.S.S.R. New England Journal of Medicine, 1968, 278, 934–939 and 987–992.
