Overview

Note: This special topics course will be offered during W19 term.

Human factors methods and extensive end user engagement during the product development process have been shown to improve product quality, tailor design features to the real needs of end users, improve product uptake, and reduce training prior to use. This project-based course will focus on the front and middle phases of the product design process, specifically the application of human factors and usability engineering to improve product design. Emphasis will be placed on medical devices for low- and middle-income countries, using methods that are generalizable to non-medical devices and high-income countries. Additional topics include user- and context-centered design processes, formative and summative evaluation techniques, medical device use error, and regulatory practices.

Students will work in teams to apply these techniques to medical device prototypes in use or development for global health applications, apply for IRB approval to conduct usability testing, and perform iterative design informed by usability testing results. Students will also explore the current state of global health technologies and analyze successfully commercialized technologies, identifying common design attributes across commercialized technologies.

Class meetings will consist of lectures that introduce concepts, design methods, and tools; active learning exercises (e.g., group discussions, case studies, critical reviews of literature); and group work / lab time.

Eligibility

Graduate students are eligible to enroll in this course. Senior undergraduate engineering students may take the course with permission from the instructor.


Logistics

Instructed by Dr. Kathleen Sienko, 3 credits

What to Know About The Global Health Design Initiative

Program History

Program History

GHDI has been working with stakeholders for more than eight years to identify and address global health design challenges. Learn more about our history and core values.

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Project Outcomes

Project Outcomes

Since inception, we have worked on projects in maternal health, family planning, minimally invasive surgery, physical medicine and rehabilitation, and more. Explore our past and current projects.

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Get Involved

Get Involved

There are many ways to get involved in global health work with GHDI. From taking on a need statement, to participating in an opportunity, or becoming a partner.

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