Bert, the Human Factors Manikin
Nicole Stephenson: Well hello Bert, thanks for taking the time to talk with me today.
Bert the Manikin: No problem! Happy to chat.
NS: First, can you tell me the difference between a manikin and a mannequin?
BM: Of course! Mannequins are mainly used as models for clothing in stores. A glamorous life! I’m a manikin— we are used in healthcare and research settings for educational purposes.
NS: I see. Two important but very different jobs. How do you help with healthcare training and education?
BM: Well, people can use me and others like me in all kinds of ways: to learn CPR, to practice surgery, to learn anatomy, and more. I personally help with human factors testing at Core Human Factors.
NS: What kinds of things do you do there?
BM: I help with all kinds of products. Nurses, caregivers, and even laypeople use me to pretend they’re interacting with an actual person while testing out a new medical device. I get poked and prodded quite a bit, but I don’t mind. It’s worth it to know I’m helping medical devices become safer for people to use.
NS: What kinds of medical devices does Core have experience with?
BM: Core can help with essentially every step of the human factors research process. I’ve worked with all kinds of medical devices—from injection pens to infusion kits to positioning of peripherally inserted central catheters, Core has the expertise.
NS: I wonder, why don’t people use the products on themselves instead?
BM: Well, there are a few reasons. For one, these drugs and devices are still under development. We want to make sure they’re safe to use before people use them to get real medical treatment. That’s where I come in. Nothing hurts me because, well, I’m not real! Another reason is that sometimes the devices are meant to be used on a patient rather than the person using the device. That’s the main reason why I have my name, Bert. The folks in the studies like to call me by name and sometimes chitchat while they go about their tasks. I meet a lot of interesting people in the studies!
NS: With all this work, do you get out much?
BM: Oh yes, one of the perks of the job is how much I get to travel. I’ve been pretty much everywhere in the United States, and I’ve even travelled to Europe and Asia. Some of my favorites were France and Germany. Human factors research happens all over the world, so I go wherever I’m needed.
NS: How do the logistics of your travel work? You seem pretty flexible.
BM: I’m a great travel partner since I don’t need a train or plane ticket. I can detach all my limbs (and my head), so I can travel in researchers’ suitcases.
NS: Oh yeah?
BM: Yep, it’s very comfortable for me, although I sometimes scare security workers. You know, a detached head isn’t something you see in a suitcase every day.
