ABSTRACT
There has been an increasing tendency to use computer-based process information systems as the main interface through which operators interact with complex industrial systems. Although the new technology has produced greater hardware reliability and maintainability, the corresponding potential benefits for operability have not always been achieved. Automation has introduced new forms of design and operating errors. One of the major reasons for this problem has been the lack of human factors advice and user participation early in the design process. This paper discusses a user-centred design approach to increase operability and user acceptance of new technologies and working practices. Application of this approach in the context of a chemical plant indicates its promise, but also highlights the difficulties involved in gaining user participation and management commitment.
Subject(s)
Data Display , Information Systems , Man-Machine Systems , Chemical Industry , Humans , Pattern Recognition, AutomatedABSTRACT
BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: This qualitative study was designed to explore, identify, and describe clinical decision-making processes used by pediatric physical therapists. SUBJECTS: Clinical decision-making processes of three experienced therapists and three inexperienced therapists were assessed as they worked with 18 children with diplegia. METHODS: Retrospective think-aloud procedures were used to elicit verbalizations, which were transcribed, coded, and analyzed. RESULTS: Four characteristics of clinical decision making were identified: (1) Movement scripts provided insights into the clinical application of cognitive schemata based on previous experiences, (2) procedural changes occurred rapidly during within-session decision making, (3) psychosocial sensitivity was important for positive interaction during therapy, and (4) self-monitoring appeared to be pivotal in making clinical decisions as therapists self-assessed their practice. Contrasting data illustrated similarities and differences of experienced and inexperienced clinicians. CONCLUSION AND DISCUSSION: Findings are generally consistent with existing clinical decision-making literature and provide important information for physical therapy practice, research, and education.
Subject(s)
Cerebral Palsy/rehabilitation , Clinical Competence , Physical Therapy Modalities/methods , Cerebral Palsy/physiopathology , Child , Child, Preschool , Decision Making , Female , Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice , Humans , Male , Movement/physiology , Muscle, Skeletal/physiopathology , Posture/physiology , Retrospective Studies , Self-Assessment , Social Support , Videotape RecordingABSTRACT
The interactive effects of neuro-developmental treatment and inhibitive ankle-height orthoses on gait were examined via a single-subject research design. Knee flexion during gait at initial contact, mid-stance, heel-off, and mid-swing were measured in a 2-year-old girl with diplegia by use of a goniometer and freeze-frame videography. During the treatment and treatment/orthoses phases, a decrease in excessive knee flexion was noted. Changes in trend over time were greater in the 3-week treatment phase than in the 3-week treatment/orthoses phase. Changes in level at the initiation of the treatment/orthoses phase were greater than in the treatment phase. The described neuro-developmental treatment activities were conducted correctly 92% of the time according to an independent observer. The interrater reliability of goniometric data measured by videography was .93 using intraclass correlation coefficients. The results of this study suggest that both methods of treatment can be used to decrease excessive knee flexion during gait in a child with diplegia.
Subject(s)
Gait/physiology , Knee Joint/physiopathology , Nervous System Diseases/rehabilitation , Orthotic Devices , Paralysis/rehabilitation , Biomechanical Phenomena , Child, Preschool , Female , Humans , Movement/physiology , Nervous System Diseases/complications , Nervous System Diseases/physiopathology , Paralysis/etiology , Paralysis/physiopathology , Physical Therapy Modalities/methods , Reproducibility of Results , Video RecordingABSTRACT
This paper reviews the techniques available for detection and recognition training, and their application to industrial inspection. Systematic procedures are described for using these techniques as part of an integrated training scheme. Approaches to task analysis for inspector training are also discussed.
