| Summary: | 碩士 === 長庚大學 === 工業設計研究所 === 91 === Low back pain problems have troubled many medical health workers, and although there has been continuous progression in occupational health education and work devices, this group of people still suffer from this work-related affliction. Therefore, the prevention of low back pain for medical health workers is a critical concern of occupational damage.
A back belt is one of the most frequently used preventive devices for sufferers; its dual function limits back pressure and reduces bending. Despite its advantages, usability problems have not as yet diminished, and “unwillingness to wear” the device is most prominent.
In past investigations, most emphasis has been placed on efforts to perfect the belt’s function, but these have resulted in a lack of findings regarding users’ subjective evaluation. Furthermore the relationship between users and their environment have been inadequately discussed, thus the problem of the belt’s usability also troubles users.
This research has been conducted in a “problem-oriented” manner, utilizing “usability engineering” to explore the back belt’s usability, in order to comprehend the factors affecting its usage, thus these problems are crucial in re-design considerations. A total of 24 medical health workers were recruited for this investigation, averaging an age of 32.95 years, and 2.24 years working experience. Four processes were involved: (1) Investigation on users; (2) Investigation on medical care work and environment; (3) Back belt market sales analysis and subsequent problems, and (4) The test and evaluation of the re-designed back belt.
Results demonstrated that the back belt’s usability could be affected by several factors as opposed to simply the product (back belt) itself, including the user, task and environment. The overall objective ratings concerning the re-designed belt have evidenced the following -
i) an efficiency enhancement
ii) increased effectiveness
iii) increased user satisfaction
Similar findings have been found on subjective ratings. Apart from the materials of currently marketed back belts, the re-designed belt was generally viewed better, since it had solved problems pertaining to usability. Via the process and result of this research, and establish the concept on usability engineering application and product design, to serve as future design reference. Doing so, usability engineering could be fully applied on product design, while enhancing users’ satisfaction.
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