Healthcare represents a dynamic, complex, human-centered, and rapidly changing socio-technical system in which people are both providers and recipients of services. Rapid changes in medical technology, increasing complexity of patient care, communication barriers, and large volume of information arising from medical research present unique challenges to healthcare professionals and add to the complexity of healthcare system. Due to the pervasiveness and often disastrous consequences of human errors in healthcare, the discipline of HFE is becoming critical to optimize system performance, reduce human errors, and ensure sustained improvements in quality and patient safety.
