Molly Maloney
Pronouns: She/Her
Research Mentor(s): Paul Green
Research Mentor School/College/Department: University of Michigan Transportation Research Institute / Other
Program:
Authors: Molly Maloney, Katherine Snowdon, Paul Green
Session: Session 6: 3:40 pm – 4:30 pm
Poster: 99
Abstract
The Left Ventricular Assist Device (LVAD) is a commonly used, lifesaving implant that pumps blood for people with failing hearts. Despite the growing use of LVADs across the globe, training for how to use the device after implantation is extremely costly, time-consuming, and primarily only available in hospitals. We are working to overcome these problems by developing a simulation of the LVAD user interface for patients, caregivers, and medical staff to learn how to operate the device and handle patient-care emergencies. By watching videos and reading manuals, we began to create rudimentary drawings and screen designs. Through brainstorming on whiteboards and making Unified Modeling Language (UML) diagrams, screen flow concepts were identified. Each time a design decision needed to be made, a design guideline was created (eg: “use the same font across all screens”). A total of 26 different design guidelines were developed. The interface was implemented in Google Slides as it offered a way to present screen flow and edit screen inconsistencies. We now plan to present our interface to LVAD coordinators for feedback. Before the final iteration is complete, we plan to implement the program in some prototyping tool yet-to-be-determined and begin user-based testing. The final step is to implement a functional interface in HTML which allows users to access the simulation. The simulation offers hands-on and instructor-based learning to allow for differences in learning styles and time allocated for tasks. Patients and medical staff can utilize testing to ensure memorization of key components and processes as well as family members and caretakers. The simulation provides key teaching principles in an organized, constructive way that minimizes inaccessibility.
