CLRES 3780 - HUMAN FACTORS OF AGING

Minimum Credits: 3
Maximum Credits: 3
Research often leads to ideas and findings that can be developed into new medical devices or interventions. One limiting step in the development of these new ideas into action is the incorporation of the human factors components in the design. This is particularly true for devices/interventions meant to be used by older adults. This course provides an introductory understanding of how human factors is used in medical device design with a focus on older adults. The target audience for this course is broad, encompassing anyone that wants to learn how to design, test and evaluate medical devices or interventions used by older adults. This includes investigators (faculty, scientists, post-docs), engineers, and clinicians. The course will be at the graduate level, but general in scope. No pre-requisites are required. The course introduces the concept of human factors as applied to medical devices and interventions. Special emphasis will be on the specific issues associated with older adults. Characteristics of older adults relevant to usability of devices and capabilities in interventions are developed in detail, with numerous examples (successful and unsuccessful) provided. The course considers FDA approval requirements and evaluation methods for specific populations (in this case older adults). Topics relevant to design include within the course include: i. Principles of ethnography and anthropometry ii. Characteristics of older adult users considered in design (e.g. functional abilities, sensory/perception changes with age, cognition, diversity in the older population, cultural and ethnic interactions with age) iii. Ergonomics and aging (strength changes across the body with age, mobility and dexterity in design for older adults) iv. Aging and cognitive change ( e.g. Alzheimer's disease and dementia) v. Human factors design principles such as user interface design, visual displays, training and instructions, and environmental considerations. vi. Usability testing methods to improve design (task analysis, formative evaluation methods, summative methods, subject choices) vii Regulatory requirements, such as FDA and EU human factors requirements.
Academic Career: Graduate
Course Component: Lecture
Grade Component: Grad LG/SNC Basis

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