A framework of knowledge creation processes in participatory simulation of hospital work systems

Abstract

A Framework of Knowledge Creation Processes in Participatory Simulation of Hospital Work SystemsParticipatory simulation (PS) is a method to involve workers in simulating and designing their own future work system. Existing PS studies have focused on analysing the outcome, and minimal attention has been devoted to the process of creating this outcome. In order to study this process, we suggest applying a knowledge creation perspective. The aim of this study was to develop a framework describing the process of how ergonomics knowledge is created in PS. Video recordings from three projects applying PS of hospital work systems constituted the foundation of process mining analysis. The analysis resulted in a framework revealing the sources of ergonomics knowledge creation as sequential relationships between the activities of simulation participants sharing work experiences; experimenting with scenarios; and reflecting on ergonomics consequences. We argue that this framework reveals the hidden steps of PS that are essential when planning and facilitating PS that aims at designing work systems.Keywords: participative ergonomics; health care ergonomics; process mining; knowledge creation; work systems Practitioner summary: When facilitating participatory simulation (PS) in work system design, achieving an understanding of the PS process is essential. By applying a knowledge creation perspective and process mining, we investigated the knowledge creating activities constituting the PS process. The analysis resulted in a framework of the knowledge creating process in PS.

Simulation-Supported Participative Processes Improvement in Engineering Design

“…Participatory simulation (PS) is a method from the field ergonomics that involves workers in "simulating and designing their own future work system" (Andersen and Broberg, 2017). The goal of this methodology is to identify ergonomic challenges and possible improvements early on -before the work system is implemented (Andersen and Broberg, 2017).…”

“…The goal of this methodology is to identify ergonomic challenges and possible improvements early on -before the work system is implemented (Andersen and Broberg, 2017). The activities of Participatory Simulation include participants sharing work experiences, experimenting with scenarios, and reflecting on the consequences of the new work system (Andersen and Broberg, 2017).…”

“…The goal of this methodology is to identify ergonomic challenges and possible improvements early on -before the work system is implemented (Andersen and Broberg, 2017). The activities of Participatory Simulation include participants sharing work experiences, experimenting with scenarios, and reflecting on the consequences of the new work system (Andersen and Broberg, 2017). Applications of PS include for example, a case of design of a new outpatient clinic at a hospital where a group of workers (physicians, nurses and secretaries) from the existing clinic used table top simulations with help of cardboard boxes and LEGO figures to optimize the new clinic layout (Broberg, 2015).…”

“…the selected process users) execute the defined scenarios supported by the simulation model. (Andersen and Broberg, 2017) suggest two activities in participatory simulations: sharing work experiences, which includes "asking other participants" and "sharing own work", and experimenting, which comprises "what-if discussions" and "scenario acting". In this approach we recommend all four types of sub-activities, however the tools presented below focus on "experimenting".…”

“…Existing participatory methods, for example in ergonomics, have been found to ease the implementation process (Daniellou, 2007). The outcome of these methods, as feedback, can be integrated in the design of the future work system (Andersen and Broberg, 2017). Nevertheless, the applicability of existing participatory methods for product development processes is limited.…”