Study
Human FactorsRecentModerate effect

Head-worn displays alter anesthesiologist collaboration and perception over time

Prolonged use of head-worn displays (HWDs) in operating rooms significantly changes how supervising anesthesiologists interact with their environment and colleagues, and how information is perceived.

Academic Publication · 2023

01

Key Findings

  • 01Interaction and mindset changes occur over an 8-10 day period of HWD use.
  • 02Information presented on the HWD is perceived as more than just numerical data.
  • 03The HWD influences co-workers' collaboration with supervisors.
  • 04Distraction is perceived differently depending on the observer's viewpoint.
02

Application

Design takeaway

Designers must consider the long-term adoption and adaptation of technology, not just initial usability, and how it impacts the social and collaborative aspects of a work environment.

How to apply

When designing any wearable technology for professional use, conduct longitudinal studies to understand how users adapt and how the technology affects team interactions over time.

Project actions

  • 01Consider how a new design might be used over several days or weeks, not just for a single use.
  • 02Think about how your design affects not just the primary user, but also the people they work with.
  • 03Explore how users' understanding of information might change as they get used to a new tool.
03

Method & Evidence

AimTo evaluate the longitudinal experience of supervising anesthesiologists and their co-workers using a head-worn display for multi-patient monitoring.
MethodQualitative field study with interviews and repeated observations.
ProcedureSupervising anesthesiologists wore a monocular, opaque HWD for 8-10 days each, and their experiences, along with those of their co-workers, were documented through interviews and observations.
ContextOperating room environment, specifically for supervising anesthesiologists and their co-workers.

Variables

IVProlonged use of a head-worn display.
DVUser interaction, mindset, information perception, co-worker collaboration, distraction levels.
CVType of HWD, specific monitoring task, operating room environment.
04

Strengths & Limitations

Strengths

  • +Longitudinal evaluation provides insights into adaptation over time.
  • +Includes the perspective of co-workers, offering a broader view of impact.

Limitations

A short-term test in a classroom setting may not fully capture the long-term adaptation and collaborative shifts observed in a professional, high-stakes environment.

Reliability & validity

The use of reflexive thematic analysis and repeated observations enhances the validity of the qualitative findings by providing depth and triangulation. However, the lack of quantitative data and a clearly defined sample size might affect generalizability and reliability if replicated without strict protocols.

Think critically

How might the 'distraction depends on the point of view' finding influence the design of shared workspaces or collaborative tools?

05

Design Principles

"Technology integration should be evaluated longitudinally, considering evolving user interaction, information perception, and collaborative dynamics."

This research highlights the dynamic nature of human-computer interaction in high-stakes environments. Understanding how technology adoption evolves over time is crucial for designing systems that integrate seamlessly into complex workflows and support, rather than hinder, collaboration.

06

What This Means for Your Design

Wearing a special screen on your head for a long time changes how doctors work together and what they think about the information they see.

How to use in your project

  • 1.When evaluating a prototype, consider conducting a short-term longitudinal study (e.g., over a few class periods) to observe adaptation.
  • 2.Include feedback from peers or teachers who observe the user interacting with the prototype, not just the primary user's opinion.
  • 3.Discuss how the design might influence communication or workflow in a specific context.
07

Add to My Project

08

Quick Cite

(2023). Supervising Multiple Operating Rooms Using a Head-Worn display: A Longitudinal Evaluation of the Experience of Supervising Anesthesiologists and Their Co-Workers. Academic Publication. https://doi.org/10.1145/3544548.3581180 Retrieved from https://designdex.org/study/db1f2712-18e3-4ebf-8bf4-185ed7b9d830/head-worn-displays-alter-anesthesiologist-collaboration-and-perception-over-time

Paragraph starter

This study highlights that the introduction of new technology, such as head-worn displays, can lead to significant shifts in user interaction and collaborative dynamics over time. For instance, prolonged use may alter how users perceive and interpret information, and can impact communication patterns with colleagues. Therefore, when designing and evaluating new products, it is crucial to consider not only immediate usability but also the longitudinal effects on user behaviour and team performance.

09

Source

Academic Publication

Supervising Multiple Operating Rooms Using a Head-Worn display: A Longitudinal Evaluation of the Experience of Supervising Anesthesiologists and Their Co-Workers

journal · 2023

View source

Questions about this research

What does the research say about head-worn displays alter anesthesiologist collaboration and perception over time?
Designers must consider the long-term adoption and adaptation of technology, not just initial usability, and how it impacts the social and collaborative aspects of a work environment. Evidence: Academic Publication (2023).
Why does "Head-worn displays alter anesthesiologist collaboration and perception over time" matter for design?
This research highlights the dynamic nature of human-computer interaction in high-stakes environments. Understanding how technology adoption evolves over time is crucial for designing systems that integrate seamlessly into complex workflows and support, rather than hinder, collaboration.
How can designers apply this research?
Designers must consider the long-term adoption and adaptation of technology, not just initial usability, and how it impacts the social and collaborative aspects of a work environment.
What were the main findings?
Interaction and mindset changes occur over an 8-10 day period of HWD use.. Information presented on the HWD is perceived as more than just numerical data.. The HWD influences co-workers' collaboration with supervisors.. Distraction is perceived differently depending on the observer's viewpoint.
What research method was used?
Qualitative field study with interviews and repeated observations..
How strong is the evidence?
Evidence strength is rated Moderate effect, based on a 2023 journal from Academic Publication.
What should I do differently in my next project?
When designing any wearable technology for professional use, conduct longitudinal studies to understand how users adapt and how the technology affects team interactions over time.
What are the limitations?
The study focused on a specific type of HWD (monocular, opaque) and a specific professional context (anesthesiology). The sample size was not specified, potentially limiting generalizability.
Is there evidence that head-worn display affects design outcomes?
Over time, using a head-worn display in the operating room changes how doctors think and interact, how they interpret the data shown, how they work with colleagues, and how distracting it is for different people. This research highlights the dynamic nature of human-computer interaction in high-stakes environments. Unde Source: Academic Publication (2023).
Where does this time research apply?
Operating room environment, specifically for supervising anesthesiologists and their co-workers. It sits within human factors research on designdex.org.

Related research topics

head-worn display design research · evidence on head-worn display · does head-worn display improve design outcomes · time studies for designers · head-worn display and time findings · human factors research evidence