Presentation
Exploring the Social Contexts of Exoskeleton Design and Implementation in Long-Term Care: A Study of Nurses and Nurse Managers with Musculoskeletal Disorders
DescriptionNurses face significant physical demands during patient care, leading to high rates of musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) among nurses in long-term care. Exoskeletons demonstrate promise in supporting nurses and nurse managers with MSDs; however, social contextual factors are crucial to their design and implementation. Through thematic analysis of thirty semi-structured interviews, this paper reveals social contextual factors important to exoskeleton use among nurses and nurse managers in long-term care. Participants expressed concerns about workplace discrimination, co-worker perceptions of their capabilities, and patient confidence. Our findings highlight the need for supportive organizational cultures and open communication channels. Recommendations include in-depth systems analysis to assess exoskeleton feasibility and efficacy, involving input from frontline nurses/managers, higher administration, and patients. These findings may aid human factors experts in balancing social contextual factors and other work system elements to design work system contexts and exoskeletons that promote optimal outcomes for all individuals in long-term care settings.
Event Type
Lecture
TimeThursday, September 12th11:55am - 12:15pm MST
LocationGrand Ballroom
Health Care
DEI