Innovation without user-training puts lives at risk
The importance of training in the health sector
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The importance of training in the health sector
When it comes to new professional tools, training the staff who will use them should always be a priority. This becomes extra important in the health sector, as improper or insufficient training can put people's lives at risk. Ensuring training is essential for both the patients' and health care workers' safety.
Like many areas in society, the health sector is going through changes, partly speeded up by the Covid-19 pandemic. For example, we can see a significant increase in rapid implementation of new solutions and services. The health sector has traditionally been relatively slow at adopting new tools and has had many implementation barriers, but this is clearly changing.
Implementing innovative solutions quickly can, of course, be something positive and bring better service and healthcare to patients, as well as a better work environment for health workers. However, just as with any novel product or service, if it's not accompanied by appropriate and well-planned training, it can be disastrous. It's vital that staff is adequately trained to use new equipment, new systems, and medications so that they don't put patients, or themselves, at risk.
When it comes to technology, services, and solutions that can help save people's lives or put people's lives and well-being at risk, we can never test, train, and rehearse too thoroughly. Taking the user-perspective and designing not only the product or service according to their needs, but also designing a training program that fits their needs, can make the whole difference.
This is where we, designers, have a big responsibility. It would be irresponsible and unprofessional not to consider, offer, and include training in projects like these. We need to prepare and train for all kinds of possible situations before a tool is implemented, not simply design the solution and hope for the best.People’s health and safety are far too important.
Get in touch with Head of Health & Welfare
Sigrun Vik
+47 922 33 887
Email