Demonstrating the Value and Impact of Human Factors-based Projects in Healthcare

Institutionalizing human factors in healthcare organizations is a formidable enterprise. While much progress has been made over the years, challenging disconnects remain in applying and communicating about human factors tools and methodologies in the healthcare domain. Our objective was to explore how human factors professionals, especially those embedded within a healthcare organization, assess the value and impact of their healthcare operations-based projects. Toward this end, we interviewed eight human factors professionals working in healthcare to understand strategies that work well for them in demonstrating the value and impact of their work, as well as pitfalls to avoid. While especially relevant to the healthcare domain, this knowledge may help other human factors professionals in any industry develop strategies and plans to demonstrate value from their work, communicate about impact, and thereby grow the reach of human factors.