Ursula Hyrkkänen

Changing Requirements and Mental Workload Factors in Mobile Multi-Locational Work

Working in multiple locations creates continuously changing physical, virtual and social settings for mobile employees. This paper shows, by exploring locally and globally moving employees, that changing environments arouse varying perceptions of both well-being and stress. The identification of mental workload factors is necessary both for working in and managing mobile, multi-locational work.

Complexity and workload factors in virtual work environments of mobile work

This article concentrates on describing the complexity and work load factors of mobile work done in virtual environments. A qualitative multi case study was carried out. Six mobile employee groups were examined. The data was collected by interviews and questionnaires. A model of complexity factors was used in analyzing the data. The complexity factors interrelated with different types of workload components, i.e. physical, mental and social and, furthermore, they induced distinct workload factors. To reduce the manifestation of the workload factors and to enhance well-being, fundamental requirements for the virtual environment can be presented. At the levels of connection, device and application the issue lies in the transfer capability of communication. Compared to this at the levels of cognitive and cultural factors of the virtual space the question is in the ability of semantic transfer of the message.

Heart Rate Variability Measurements in Mobile Work

There are new complexity and workload factors related to mobile working mode. One main thing to be considered is the work-life balance, especially from the adequate recovery point of view. Heart rate variability (HRV) reflects the functioning of the autonomic nervous system (ANS). Thus stress and recovery of the ANS can be evaluated with HRV analyses. The objective of this study was to find out how the HRV measurement serves the aims of occupational health care. Ten globally mobile employees were measured by a HRV recording procedure. The experiences of the measurement execution were collected by semi-structured interviews. Through HRV measurement occupational health care professionals gain valid information on mobile employees’ ANS stress and recovery reactions. When connecting the diary information entered by the employees to this, knowledge of working conditions could also be reached. However, the measurement procedure is time consuming and expensive to execute. Therefore the HRV measurement should target those mobile employees, who have difficulties on controlling their work–life balance.

Ergonomists and usability engineers encounter test method dilemmas with virtual work environments

Todays ergonomists and usability engineers need a broad understanding of the characteristics and demands of complex sociotechnical systems in order to develop virtual work systems and mobile communication tools for workers. Familiarity with appropriate ergonomics tests and evaluation methods is a prerequisite of this understanding. The literature review about ergonomics methods was performed. Applicable, potential and inapplicable ergonomics test methods for virtual work systems have been identified, based on the validity analysis and case example. The large number of available methods is confusing for ergonomists and therefore a hierarchical top-down approach is needed for method selection. The issues highlighted in this paper may be useful for ergonomists and usability practitioners who are participating design processes in complex virtual work environments.

Experiences on Telemedicine Solutions for Diabetes Care – Case eMedic Project

Diabetes is one of the most common diseases in the world. The optimisation of diabetes treatment would mean remarkable savings in health care budgets. eHealth technology can provide new tools to increase healthcare access, improve care delivery systems, and support individuals in engaging in the treatment of their disease as well as provide new solutions for health care professionals. The aim of this paper is to describe the usability of self-management technological solutions in the eMedic project. A qualitative explorative study approach was applied. During the eMedic pilots on self-management, the usability of the devices and applications was assessed by using the System Usability Scale (SUS) questionnaire. The eMedic project shows that eHealth solutions in self-management can have a successful role in healthcare, but focus and effort must be put on the usability of the applications and technical solutions.