The Human -Technology Interface

What is it?

Technology is evolving at a rapid pace in today's world. This includes the development and implementation of health care technology. Technological innovation offers nurses and health care providers the ability to improve patient care and outcomes, as well as, have a positive impact on patient and provider satisfaction.  The Human-Technology interface describes the hardware and software through which the user interacts with technology (Simpson, n.d.). The Human-Technology interaction describes and provides insight into the actual interaction that occurs when human beings interrelate and work in harmony with technology (Simpson, n.d.). 

Human-Technology interface and interaction encourage patients and family members to become active and engaged participants in their care. Nursing practice also benefits from the implementation of technology through the development of evidence-based practice standards and point of care tools such as electronic charting, best practice alerts, bar code medication administration systems, and telemetry, that impact patient safety and improve the quality of care provided. 

As future nursing leaders, it will be important that we remain current with technology trends. In doing so, we can  use to technology to our advantage through the analysis of several different data points to improve quality, safety, outcomes, and satisfaction.  We must also support the continued integration of new technology into healthcare in order to attract staff and remain competitive in the healthcare marketplace.

Technology in Action-Case Exemplar

Jane Doe was recently discharged from the hospital after an inpatient stay for an acute exacerbation of CHF.  Upon discharge the nurse explains her discharge instructions and notifies Jane that home care will be initiated for the purpose of continued monitoring to ensure that she is not readmitted to the hospital.  The home care nurse visits Jane the next day in her home to set-up a telehealth remote patient monitoring system and educate Jane on how to use it. She explains to Jane,  that every morning when she wakes up, after voiding,  she will need to weigh herself on the scale provided, take her blood pressure, and check her pulse oximetery.  The nurse also explains to Jane that she can send send her information at anytime during the day or night, especially if she is not feeling well or notices a change in her condition,  as the monitoring center is staffed 24 hours a day. The home care nurse explains that Jane's patient-generated health data is then transmitted to a nurse in a remote location who will review the data making sure that the reported results are within the parameters set by her physician.  If there is any concern with the data submitted, the nurse will contact Jane directly to check on her well-being and complete an assessment, this may be done in person or via the telephone. Jane may also be asked to resubmit the data. In the event that the data remains outside of  the acceptable limits, Jane's physician will be contacted for instructions and orders to manage her current condition. In the event of a weight gain, additional lasix may be ordered. This technological intervention provides Jane with an immediate response to any change in her health status and allows for rapid intervention and treatment resulting in avoidance of an emergency room visit or additional hospital readmission.  Telehealth remote patient monitoring enhances improved patient outcomes through the analysis and timely treatment of actionable patient-generated health data. The ability to communicate patient specific data to nursing at any time keeps the patient in communication with and connected to the nurse providing increased satisfaction their care. 

 For examples of technology commonly used in nursing 

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A glimpse into the future

Additional Resources to further your learning on the Human-Technology Interaction

Explore Health IT.GOV for more information

 Explore the  Healthcare Information & Management Systems Society (HIMMS)

Striking the right balance between technology and patient care

Patient Care Technology and Safety

Reflection

It is startling to think of all the ways that humans interact with technology.   But does smart technology actually mean smarter health?   We have all used and heard the phrase, "there's an app for that".  With over 165,000 health related apps available to consumers, how can we be assured that these apps are built on evidence-based principles to achieve positive outcomes. We must also carefully consider the safety, security, and quality of information they provide (Price, 2017). These apps provide our patients with an insight and awareness of their current health status that they never had before.   This brings several questions to mind. How is this data being used to improve app functionality? Can we trust that the data that is extracted is even accurate, usable, and reliable?  Does this interaction between humans and technology actually improve the health of the consumers using them?  We can not have a "laissez-fair" attitude toward patient education. Patient education is more important now than ever before. As nurses it is imperative that in our role as educators, we assess a patients health literacy, as well as their knowledge and expectations from interacting with technology.  We must assure their understanding using teach back methodology and be readily available to clarify information, answer questions, and downplay myths.  I see the human technology interface as an enhancement to current medical practices. The human-human interaction will always be necessary in healthcare, even if technology is applied in order for that interaction to occur.  Advances in healthcare technology are exciting. The use of technology creates efficiencies and convenience in care delivery and the consumers self-management of health. We must advocate that it is developed on evidence-based practice, kept secure, does not cause harm, and promotes quality outcomes for our patients.  We still have a long way to go to gain full interoperability among the numerous forms of health care technology currently being interacted with by out patients.  

References

Nelson, R., & Staggers, N. (2018). Health informatics: An interprofessional approach (2^nd Ed.). St. Louis, Missouri: Elsevier.

Price, C. (2017).  How smart health technology is improving our quality of care. The Telegraph. Retrieved from https://www.telegraph.co.uk/business/social-innovation/smart-health-technology/

Simpson, D. (n.d.). Improving the human technology interface nursing informatics. Retrieved from https://slideplayer.com/slide/10750555/