One of the most challenging aspects in conducting medical ethnography/observation for design research is constructing a complete and accurate task analysis. Breaking down a complex surgical procedure into logical sub-tasks typically requires rigorous observations over multiple sessions, detailed video review and validation from subject matter experts.
Constructing hierarchical task analysis in surgery*, which was published in the January 2008 issue of Surgical Endoscopy, provides a high-level description and concrete example of the process for creating a hierarchical task analysis in a surgical context. Click on inset image for a process diagram from the article.
*Note - accessing the full article requires a paid subscription, or the individual article may be purchased for $32 - then again there's always the library.
On a somewhat related note, New Scientist reports on the development of surgical training simulations for the Nintendo Wii:
"Now they are designing Wii software that will accurately simulate surgical procedures. A training platform based on the console, which costs about $250, might be more practical for trainee surgeons in the developing world..."
For designer/researchers, lower cost training simulators may provide a way to simulate or test prototype surgical tools in the design process.
