During the COVID-19 pandemic, the development of point-of-care (POC) diagnostic testing accelerated in an unparalleled fashion. As a result, there has been an increased need for accurate, robust, and easy-to-use POC testing in a variety of non-traditional settings (i.e., pharmacies, drive-thru sites, schools). While stakeholders often express the desire for POC technologies that are “as simple as digital pregnancy tests,” there is little discussion of what this means in regards to device design, development, and assessment. The design of POC technologies and systems should take into account the capabilities and limitations of the users and their environments. Such "human factors" are important tenets that can help technology developers create POC technologies that are effective for end-users in a multitude of settings. Here, we review the core principles of human factors and discuss lessons learned during the evaluation process of SARS-CoV-2 POC testing.
Objective
Prior to 2011, emergency physicians who completed critical care (CC) fellowship were unable to obtain board certification in the United States. Three pathways for CC board certification have since been established. This study explores the training, practice, and perceived challenges of emergency medicine/critical care fellows and emergency medicine/critical care physicians in the United States.
Methods
Anonymous institutional review board‐approved survey distributed via email through an online survey engine from April to December 2016. Participants were recruited through national organizations and independent interest groups. Emergency physicians who were in CC fellowship or had completed a CC fellowship and were in practice in the United States participated voluntarily.
Results
Of the 162 respondents, 152 were included (92 physicians, 60 fellows). Eighty‐nine percent ranged from 31–50 years old. Among fellows, 90% desired a dual discipline practice. Among physicians, 63% split their time between the emergency department and ICU. Seventy‐one percent of physicians reported working in academic institutions. Among physicians engaged in a dual practice, mean full‐time equivalent (±SD) devoted to the ED was 0.37 (±0.22), mean full‐time equivalent for ICU was 0.47 (±0.22), and mean full‐time equivalent for protected academic time was 0.28 (±0.19). Emergency medicine/critical care fellows and emergency medicine/critical care physicians identified numerous challenges associated with duality.
Conclusions
Since the advent of critical care board certification for emergency physicians in the United States, there has been an increasing number of emergency physicians pursuing CC fellowships and achieving CC board certification. Emergency medicine/critical care physicians are venturing into a variety of practice models, demonstrating that the employment landscape remains plastic. Not unexpectedly, emergency medicine/critical care fellows and emergency medicine/critical care physicians are encountering challenges intrinsic to their duality.