Should children be operating medical devices independently?
Human Factors knowledge of human behaviour, limitations and interactions with medical devices has been heavily researched in adult women, men, and even in the elderly. Yet it seems that these areas are less explored when it comes to children and their capabilities. Awareness of the interactions between children and medical devices has increased since the COVID-19 pandemic, with questions being asked about children operating medical devices independently.
Does a child have the cognitive and physical abilities to use a medical device safely and effectively, without it leading to use errors?
Does a child fully understand the risks and benefits of using medical devices?
Should a child have the responsibility of using a medical device independently?
Understanding the support that children need at each stage of their life can help Human Factors engineers streamline a product and its supporting Instructions For Use (IFU) to that age group. Development in children is variable and can significantly differ in children of similar ages due to internal and external factors. Nature and nurture both contribute to the growth and development of children. Development is hugely affected by the environment, family influence, geographical influence and education. It is interesting that children in an age group can face different challenges but be expected to interact with a user interface in a similar manner.
Here at THAY Medical we have conducted both formative and summative studies that look at children’s interactions with medical devices and IFUs. Commonly, the IFU is the easiest interface to change in response to evidence-based results from a formative study. Some of the studies we have conducted have given insight into how IFUs can be changed to accommodate children.
Use of visuals. Images and pictograms within a set of instructions help to direct a child’s attention to the necessary actions, rather than large sections of block text. Videos act as useful tools and can be designed to relate to a specific age population.
Reduce the amount of information that a child must memorise. Contrasting colours for the contents of a test kit for example can make it easier for children to distinguish various items and memorise what they are.
Overall, results have shown that children perform better, with less use issues and higher success rates, when an adult is leading the use of a medical device. The adult-child pair returns higher success rates when the adult is leading the use of the medical device rather than just supervising and again, even higher success rates than when children use devices solely.
A supervising parent is arguably a solution to any limitations a child may face when using a medical device, but for children with chronic illnesses, Design Engineers and Manufacturers should consider ways to alter a device and its IFU to accommodate children’s needs.
