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A Human Factors Framework and Heuristics for Diffusion of Innovations

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Advances in Human Factors and Ergonomics in Healthcare and Medical Devices (AHFE 2020)

Part of the book series: Advances in Intelligent Systems and Computing ((AISC,volume 1205))

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Abstract

Change management and diffusion of innovation have been studied and described extensively in the sociology and anthropology literature. Greenhalgh and colleagues (2004) provide an insightful conceptual model for the implementation of innovations. During a recent teaching experience, we encountered limitations on the model’s practical utility due to the complexity. At the same time, we noted clear parallels to the field of human factors. This paper diffuses the model into a human factors framework that aids in the understanding of change management and diffusion of innovation. In addition, we provide heuristics for evaluating innovations. These may be used prior to implementation to evaluate the innovation for suitability and risk and modify it if necessary, prepare the system for change, and plan the deployment of the innovation for the greatest chance of success.

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Acknowledgments

We would like to thank everybody at the Veterans Health Administration National Center for Patient Safety for their commitment to patient safety. Special thanks to Cindy Paterson, PhD, MSA, BSN, at the Ann Arbor VA for her work on the crash cart redesign project and sharing the story. There were no relevant financial relationships or any source of support in the forms of grants, equipment, or drugs. The authors declare no conflict of interest. The opinions expressed in this article are those of the authors and do not necessarily represent those of the Department of Veterans Affairs.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. National Center for Patient Safety, Ann Arbor, USA

    Helen J. A. Fuller, Timothy Arnold, Tandi M. Bagian & William P. Gunner

  2. College of Pharmacy, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, USA

    Timothy Arnold

  3. Department of Surgery, The George Washington University, Washington D.C., USA

    William P. Gunner

Authors
  1. Helen J. A. Fuller
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  2. Timothy Arnold
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  3. Tandi M. Bagian
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  4. William P. Gunner
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Helen J. A. Fuller .

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Pathology, College of Medicine, Royal University Hospital, University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, SK, Canada

    Jay Kalra

  2. Center for Applied Systems Engineering, Veterans Affairs, Indianapolis, IN, USA

    Nancy J. Lightner

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Fuller, H.J.A., Arnold, T., Bagian, T.M., Gunner, W.P. (2020). A Human Factors Framework and Heuristics for Diffusion of Innovations. In: Kalra, J., Lightner, N. (eds) Advances in Human Factors and Ergonomics in Healthcare and Medical Devices. AHFE 2020. Advances in Intelligent Systems and Computing, vol 1205. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-50838-8_7

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-50838-8_7

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  • Publisher Name: Springer, Cham

  • Print ISBN: 978-3-030-50837-1

  • Online ISBN: 978-3-030-50838-8

  • eBook Packages: EngineeringEngineering (R0)

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