Presentation
Using Extended Reality in the Operating Room: Considerations for Human Factors Evaluation
DescriptionApplication: This talk will provide insight for human factors practitioners evaluating extended reality technologies in the operating room environment, as well as inform future potential research directions for human factors researchers.
Overview: With the advancement of technology, new applications for extended reality, such as use in the operating room, have become increasingly viable. Although these technologies offer significant potential to provide enhanced visualization to support healthcare providers real-time, there are unique human factors considerations related to extended reality use that may impact both users and patients.
I. Previous human factors researchers, both in the healthcare and in non-healthcare domains, have identified constructs that may impact extended reality technology use in the operating room environment.
a. Ergonomic fit, particularly customizability to accommodate a wide range of users, must be considered. Appropriate weight distribution of the extended reality technology on the user is important to consider to support comfort and reduce device movement on the head. Device movement on the head could potentially lead to poor optical alignment and/or reduced field of view.
b. Cybersickness, including the severity and performance impact, has been widely researched in other domains, particularly in military and training contexts. These findings and assessment techniques can be leveraged for use in the operating room environment as well.
c. Impact of the extended reality technology on cognitive load must be considered. In some applications, by allowing the position of information to be customized, users may be able to integrate relevant information more readily. Theoretically, this may decrease the cognitive load imposed by integrating information from multiple sources distributed throughout an operating room. However, the additional cognitive load of implementing a new system into the operating room, as well as interface complexity, must be considered.
II. Through human factors evaluations in the operating room environment, our team has identified some additional considerations.
a. Although screen mirroring can be a helpful tool for understanding user interactions with extended reality elements or for understanding issues that the user is encountering, practitioners should consider the impact of screen mirroring on latency.
b. Extended reality may introduce unique harms or hazards that are not currently accounted for by the business’ quality management system.
c. Off-the-shelf solutions are often developed for different, consumer use cases. Understanding similarities and differences between intended use in the operating room and consumer use cases may inform where to focus evaluation efforts.
III. Discussion on future directions for human factors researchers and practitioners
a. Many ergonomic assessments, such as Rapid Upper Limb Assessment (RULA) or Rapid Entire Body Assessment (REBA), don’t provide enough granularity to understand ergonomic impact of implementing an extended reality device. Assessment methods more sensitive to head and neck movement may provide more impactful insights.
b. Some constructs, such as cybersickness, are polygenic. Further research on potential causes would aid in developing more effective risk control measures.
Overview: With the advancement of technology, new applications for extended reality, such as use in the operating room, have become increasingly viable. Although these technologies offer significant potential to provide enhanced visualization to support healthcare providers real-time, there are unique human factors considerations related to extended reality use that may impact both users and patients.
I. Previous human factors researchers, both in the healthcare and in non-healthcare domains, have identified constructs that may impact extended reality technology use in the operating room environment.
a. Ergonomic fit, particularly customizability to accommodate a wide range of users, must be considered. Appropriate weight distribution of the extended reality technology on the user is important to consider to support comfort and reduce device movement on the head. Device movement on the head could potentially lead to poor optical alignment and/or reduced field of view.
b. Cybersickness, including the severity and performance impact, has been widely researched in other domains, particularly in military and training contexts. These findings and assessment techniques can be leveraged for use in the operating room environment as well.
c. Impact of the extended reality technology on cognitive load must be considered. In some applications, by allowing the position of information to be customized, users may be able to integrate relevant information more readily. Theoretically, this may decrease the cognitive load imposed by integrating information from multiple sources distributed throughout an operating room. However, the additional cognitive load of implementing a new system into the operating room, as well as interface complexity, must be considered.
II. Through human factors evaluations in the operating room environment, our team has identified some additional considerations.
a. Although screen mirroring can be a helpful tool for understanding user interactions with extended reality elements or for understanding issues that the user is encountering, practitioners should consider the impact of screen mirroring on latency.
b. Extended reality may introduce unique harms or hazards that are not currently accounted for by the business’ quality management system.
c. Off-the-shelf solutions are often developed for different, consumer use cases. Understanding similarities and differences between intended use in the operating room and consumer use cases may inform where to focus evaluation efforts.
III. Discussion on future directions for human factors researchers and practitioners
a. Many ergonomic assessments, such as Rapid Upper Limb Assessment (RULA) or Rapid Entire Body Assessment (REBA), don’t provide enough granularity to understand ergonomic impact of implementing an extended reality device. Assessment methods more sensitive to head and neck movement may provide more impactful insights.
b. Some constructs, such as cybersickness, are polygenic. Further research on potential causes would aid in developing more effective risk control measures.
Event Type
Oral Presentations
TimeTuesday, April 111:00am - 11:30am EDT
LocationPier 9
Simulation and Education (SE)