Introducing a Remote Patient Monitoring Usability Impact Model to Overcome Challenges.

Telehealth and remote patient monitoring (RPM), in particular, have been through a massive surge of adoption since 2020. This initiative has proven potential for the patient and the healthcare provider in areas such as reductions in the cost of care. While home-use medical devices or wearables have been shown to be beneficial, a literature review illustrates challenges with the data generated, driven by limited device usability. This could lead to inaccurate data when an exam is completed without clinical supervision, with the consequence that incorrect data lead to improper treatment. Upon further analysis of the existing literature, the RPM Usability Impact model is introduced. The goal is to guide researchers and device manufacturers to increase the usability of wearable and home-use medical devices in the future. The importance of this model is highlighted when the user-centered design process is integrated, which is needed to develop these types of devices to provide the proper user experience.

Bend the Tool, Not the Wrist: An Ergonomic Investigation of Medical Suturing Needle Holder Design and Medical Engineering Solution.

The study aimed to assess a new needle holder grip and head design on medical suturing quality and experience. Generally, suturing remained fundamentally unchanged since its invention, possessing high variability, discomfort, and can be moderately predictable. In this study, 2 grip designs (traditional holder grip and a new slightly curved crescent-shaped grip) and 2 head types (smooth vs knurled) were investigated resulting in 4 groups. Thirty-two medical interns were recruited to participate in this study. Their performances were assessed across time, symmetry, wrist posture, discomfort, and perceived difficulty. Findings revealed that the new grip led to a lesser time, better wrist posture, less discomfort, and difficulty than the traditional grip. More, the new grip with smooth head holder led to more symmetrical and shorter knots than knurled and conventional grip one. Findings are of interest for medical personnel, where it is recommended to use a smooth head and new grip needle holder while suturing for better suturing performance, wrist posture, and hand comfort.

The Interaction Between Physical and Psychosocial Stressors.

Do physical and psychosocial stressors interact to increase stress in ways not explainable by the stressors alone? A preliminary study compared participants' stress response while subjected to a physical stressor (reduced or full physical load) and a predetermined social stressor (confronted by calm or aggressive behavior). Salivary cortisol samples measured endocrine stress. Heart rate variability (HRV) and electrodermal activity (EDA) measured autonomic stress. Perceived stress was measured via discomfort and stress state surveys. Participants with a heavier load reported increased distress and discomfort. Encountering an aggressive individual increased endocrine stress, distress levels, and perceived discomfort. Higher autonomic stress and discomfort were found in participants with heavier physical load and aggressive individuals. The results suggest a relationship where physical load increases the stressfulness of aggressive behavior in ways not explainable by the effects of the stressors alone. Future research is needed to confirm this investigation's findings.