Don't forget about human factors: Lessons learned from COVID-19 point-of-care testing

Area of Science:

• Biomedical Engineering
• Human Factors Engineering
• Diagnostic Technology

Background:

• The COVID-19 pandemic spurred rapid development of point-of-care (POC) diagnostic tests.
• There is a growing demand for accurate, user-friendly POC tests in non-traditional settings like pharmacies and schools.
• The ideal of POC tests being 'as simple as digital pregnancy tests' lacks clear definition in design and assessment.

Purpose of the Study:

• To define the core principles of human factors relevant to POC diagnostic test design.
• To discuss the importance of user capabilities and environmental context in POC technology development.
• To share lessons learned from evaluating SARS-CoV-2 POC tests through a human factors lens.

Main Methods:

• Review of core human factors principles.
• Analysis of user and environmental considerations in POC device design.
• Case study discussion of SARS-CoV-2 POC test evaluation.

Main Results:

• Human factors principles are essential for creating effective POC diagnostic systems.
• User-centered design and environmental context are critical for successful POC test implementation.
• Evaluation of SARS-CoV-2 POC tests highlights the impact of human factors on performance.

Conclusions:

• Integrating human factors into the design and assessment of POC tests is vital for usability and effectiveness.
• This approach ensures POC diagnostic technologies meet the needs of diverse users and settings.
• Adherence to human factors tenets can lead to more robust and reliable POC testing solutions.