Project Snapshot

Prevention of Transmission Pillar

Identification of Sociotechnical System Elements, to Inform Knowledge Products and Internet of Things (IoT) Innovation

Project Key Words: Human Factors, Information Architecture

Principal Investigator: John M. Conly, MD

Co-Investigator(s): Brian Traynor

 

Project Theme: Education and Societal Impact

The Aim

  • The aim of this research is to apply human factors in the design and evaluation of sociotechnical systems. Also, we aim to implement Internet of Things (IoT) enabled design strategies for surveillance, behaviour change, and education.

Why is This Important?

There is currently a lack of understanding of the sociotechnical fatcors associated with antibiotics.  The systems approach is meant to generate knowledge applicable to all system stakeholders (e.g., health care professionals, policy makers, technology developers, end-users).

Outcomes

  1. Knowledge translation through interaction/information design
  2. An increase in system knowledge among stakeholders
  3. Develop a real-time, open-source system for data collection and management (e.g., keeping track of vaccines for cows)

Research Questions

  1. What sociotechnical system elements influence the use of antibiotics in humans and food animals?
  2. How can these characterizations be translated into knowledge products for key stakeholders within the system?
  3. Can these knowledge products inform technology development opportunities to encourage behaviour change among key stakeholders?

 

Our Approach

Apply Human Factors Methodologies to evaluate the interconnectedness of products, processes, and environments as they relate to AMR in a one health "system". The sociotechnical model reflects an emphasis on mixed-methods research to describe the barriers and facilitators to optimized system performance across individual, organizational, geographical, and cultural boundaries.

Internet of Things' enabled strategies capitalize on the ability to transform products, environments, and people into interconnected data sources through network-enabled sensing and monitoring technologies. These strategies enable novel applications of Interaction Design principles for behaviour change and surveillance.

Leveraged Sources of Support

  • Infrastructure at Mount Royal University and the W21c Healthcare Human Factors Laboratoy will be used to leverage MIF funds.

Knowledge & Technology: Exchange and Exploitation

  • Knowledge in the form of information/ interaction design and open source software solutions meant to inform technology developement opportunities that will encourage behaviour change.

Highly Qualified Personnel

  • 2 Research Associates
  • 1 Co-Op Student
  • 2 Information Architecture Students