Using Human Factors Engineering for Performance and Our Own Well-Being
I recently attended an excellent talk on the role of Human Factors Engineering and Cognitive Load on physician well-being, and I have to say that this information and data has been not only empowering but also transformational for me in the last few weeks. And I wonder how this could help you all, reading this today, too!
Through this wellness and coaching work, and through my own personal productivity junkie interests, I’ve learned so much about attention and managing our energy. And yet, it was this recent coalescence of context and data, that has made the largest difference in my own life. And I hope there are some nuggets here that could help you too.
Human Factors is a field combining the psychological and physiological principles in the study of human behavior in the design of products, processes, and systems. Human Factors Engineering is used in a myriad of disciplines- pretty much any field that involves a human! (i.e. biomechanics, engineering, industrial design, sociology, psychology, user interface design—and yes, medicine and healthcare).
The Four Key Goals of Human Factors are to:
Reduce human error
Increase productivity and overall performance
Enhance safety
Enhance system availability and comfort with a focus on the interaction between the human and the system
And What is Cognitive Load?
It’s the amount of information that our working memory can hold at one time. And it’s one of the key Human Factors that impact the day-to-day experience of our lives and careers. And as physicians, it’s especially key.
We know, as human beings, that our brains have a limited capacity for attention. And we need “brain brakes” so that we can function to our highest capacity. Learning more about the connection between Human Factors, Cognitive Load and Physician Burnout has been incredibly enlightening to me, as there is so much within how we practice medicine overall that is completely in contradiction to what we know through research about human factors and human behavior.
So how has this information been transformational for me personally in the last few weeks? It has empowered me to take breaks in a way I’ve never fully allowed myself to before, and this has made SUCH a difference! It comes down to what we can control. Both internally and externally.
And how we take breaks and listen to our own bodies and energy ultimately is individual. Only you can know and sense what you need in each moment throughout your day.
Here’s what I’ve done over the last few weeks in case any of these actions could resonate for you or spark some ideas of your own.
Using when I’m at my “best” and at my “worst” to design my day.
I’ve known without question for years that I’m at my best upon waking in the morning, until about 1pm. The hours between 1-4pm are my LEAST productive time. The data from Human Factors backs this up. The Spanish got something right with their post-lunch daily siestas! When I can, I put my most important tasks and meetings earlier on in the day, knowing that I will be the least effective, creative, and able to connect with others in the afternoon.
Taking short, physical breaks every hour.
When working from home, I take a full screen break every 50 minutes when I can between virtual or in person meetings. I’ve literally fallen in love with going outside and pulling weeds for 10-15 minutes – and the combination of full removal from my workspace and screens, light physical activity, and the repetitive, almost “meditative” pulling of weeds and the feeling of small accomplishment – has been a game changer! I also can’t check my phone when I’m pulling weeds. Find what works for you!
Turning meetings into walking meetings.
I’ve turned lunchtime meetings in the middle of the clinic day into walking meetings outside. When the other people in the meeting can join me in person, we take a walk together. When it’s virtual, I put on my pods and take the meeting with me. A win-win!
Feeling fully empowered to take real lunch/mid-day breaks away from my desk.
The same when I’m seeing patients. I’m that much more empowered to remove myself from my office space and take a full 30–60-minute walk outside away from my desk. Because I know I will be much more effective and productive in the afternoon hours when I know I’m at my lowest personal energy.
Intentionally making nutrition and hydration choices to fuel my own personal performance and energy.
Ok, I never drink enough water, but I am really trying to every hour. And it helps!
Not eating carbs or a big lunch mid-day, as then I need a nap 1 hour later.
Not eating processed, candy or “junk” food in the afternoon (or in general).
I avoid caffeine after 2pm as I then struggle to go to sleep at our regular bedtime (between 9-10pm). The half-life of caffeine is 4-7 hours.
Actually removing distractions.
Do I always follow my own advice? Of course I don’t. I’m human too!
And when I do intentionally remove distractions—i.e. all browsers are closed on my desktop, email is closed, inbasket messages are closed, my phone is put away, and I focus on only the primary task at hand, it really does make SUCH a difference!
I know none of this is new, or that groundbreaking, but these small tweaks really have made a huge difference the last few weeks for me. I have noticed a dramatic difference in my overall energy, effectiveness and well-being.
What ideas have come up for you? How could you engineer your day to optimize your own Human Factors, and reduce your own cognitive load?
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