Human factors Engineering (HFE) is often viewed as a regulatory checkbox — but the real power of human factors lies in its ability to uncover design insights, reduce costly mistakes, and accelerate development. Done right, HFE becomes a strategic advantage that balances discovery and compliance while improving patient outcomes and usability.

In the webinar “Balancing HF Discovery and Compliance,” leading human factors experts Dr. Virginia Lang (Founder, Herland Institute for Human Factors), Bryant Foster (VP of Human Factors and UX, Research Collective), and Paul Charlevoix (Industrial Design and Human Factors Manager, StarFish Medical) with guest Niall Redmond (Human Factors Engineer, Hamilton Medical) joined moderator Scott Phillips, CEO of StarFish Medical, for an in-depth look at integrating HFE throughout the medical device development lifecycle.

Key Takeaways from the Webinar:

• The difference between human factors and usability — and why both are critical for product success.
• Reducing risk through formative research — How early-stage testing saves time and money before summative validation.
• Real-world case studies — From surgical instruments to life-sustaining ventilators, see how human factors shaped design decisions.
• Common pitfalls and lessons learned — Why cutting corners on usability testing creates costly setbacks, and how to avoid them.
• The role of participatory design and contextual inquiry — Engaging users beyond checklists for meaningful insights.
• Dealing with contradictory user feedback and test artifacts — Best practices for interpreting results and making design decisions.
• Eye-tracking insights — Using biometrics to measure cognitive load and improve labeling, instructions, and interface design.
• Adapting usability testing during COVID-19 — Creative solutions for remote and hybrid testing environments.

Whether you’re an engineer, product manager, regulatory professional, or human factors specialist, this webinar is packed with actionable insights to help you design safe, intuitive, and compliant medical devices.

Speakers

• Dr. Virginia Lang, Founder, Hirlan Institute for Human Factors
• Bryant Foster, VP of Human Factors & UX, Research Collective
• Paul Charlebois, Industrial Design and Human Factors Manager, StarFish Medical
• Niall Redmond, Human Factors Engineer, Hamilton Medical
• Moderator: Scott Phillips, CEO, StarFish Medical