Reengineer healthcare: a human factors and ergonomics framework to improve the socio-technical system

Objective: Human Factors and Ergonomics (HFE) discipline is critical to improve the healthcare system. The technical development of medicine in general is not accompanied by the organizational system that supports the delivery of high-quality, safe care. The potential for improvement in care delivery is overwhelming. This paper describes an HFE framework that consists of four main domains of action within the organization: (1) Process; (2) Product; (3) Training and (4) Research. It aims to demonstrate to healthcare stakeholders, especially boards, management and professionals, as well as to the community of human factors, how HFE can be structured to respond to the challenges of improving the socio-technical health system. Design: None. Setting: Intra-hospital environment of a private healthcare group. Participants: None. Intervention(s): None. Main outcome measure(s): None. Results: HFE framework. Conclusion: Together with other disciplines, HFE can and must play a determinant role in the reengineering of a human-centered healthcare. HFE must be embedded in healthcare organizations and must demonstrate its value in a more comprehensive way, so that stakeholders become aware of the benefits and feel the need to ask for help. Examples of systemic, practical and comprehensive applications are needed. This framework is a contribution in this direction.