Julian Dixon
Director of Human Factors

As well as leading a number of projects in the area of usability and Human Factors, Julian has been core to the development of Team’s HF and user research methodologies. He also takes an active role in understanding emerging FDA expectations/practices with regard to Human Factors, particularly as they apply to combination products.

Of particular interest to Julian at the moment is the improvement of the effectiveness and ease of use of device instructions for use (IFU).

“My work is about ensuring medical devices work in the hands of users. It draws on my interests in psychology, engineering and product development. I believe the HF methods we have available make usable medical devices achievable, provided that we pay attention to the human factor early enough in the innovation/ development process.

I feel that focus is important in HF for medical devices, as in product development generally. I believe we should focus on the basics of excellent usability, in order to produce safe and effective devices that meet the needs of our intended users. With the basics delivered flawlessly, we have a platform on which to build designs that delight them.”

Julian joined Team in 1998 and has degrees in both mechanical engineering, from Cambridge University, and psychology. He has more than 13 years of medical device development experience.

Julian is a regular presenter at international conferences on topics related to HF engineering in the medical device industry and has recently been invited to contribute to the IPAC-RS pharmaceutical aerosol industry group as an advisor. He has also written a number of articles on the topic.

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Articles:

• Usability validation is "a game of words, not a game of numbers"

Speaking engagements:

• Device usability and compliance: the implications, opportunities and requirements (presented at PDA Europe IGM PFS), March 2011 (download slides)
• Appealing to Users: Designing Inhalers to Maximize Compliance and Minimize Misuse (presented at RDD), May 2009 (download slides)
• Learning from Users: maximising benefits from device research (presented at PDA Universe of Prefilled Syringes and Injection Devices), October 2008 (download slides)
• Securing User Safety: Usability Design in Injection Devices (presented at PDA Universe of pre-filled devices), November 2007
• Securing Patient Safety: Usability Design in Nasal and Pulmonary Drug Delivery Devices (presented at RDD), May 2007