Looking Forward: The Role of Human Computer Interaction and Cognition in Healthcare

Consideration of human-computer interaction (HCI) is critical for designing usable and useful health information systems and technologies. In this book, a range of perspectives and approaches for the design of HCI in healthcare have been presented, with the chapters focusing on characterizing the cognitive underpinnings of HCI. It has been argued that a better understanding of how to design healthcare systems must take into cognitive aspects of user interaction as a basis for improving human interactions with technology. In addition, the range of current topics discussed has also been varied. This has included work in advancing frameworks and models of HCI in healthcare, as well as the consideration of healthcare application areas ranging from consumer informatics to dental informatics. In addition, methodological advances in areas including computational ethnography, the study of communication and collaboration and use of mobile health devices are considered. In this concluding chapter “Looking Forward,” thoughts on future directions for research in HCI in healthcare are described. This includes the need for future work in developing human-centered artificial intelligence applications, implementing safety informatics, advancing user-centered and patient-centered design methodologies and developing effective virtual care applications as health applications have become more ubiquitous. In addition, advances in methods of data collection and data analytics within HCI research are discussed, along with the need for updating approaches to education and knowledge translation about HCI itself. It is argued that the success of health information technology will be predicated on advances in these critical areas, as an improved understanding of the interaction between humans and computers is central to developing effective healthcare technologies and systems.