MATCH
The MATCH project is an EPSRC Innovative Manufacturing Research Centre and a 10 year collaboration between 4 UK universities (Nottingham, Brunel, Birmingham and Ulster). The aim of MATCH is to improve the quality of medical devices produced in the UK and we aim to do this by supporting the healthcare technology sector and its user communities by creating methods to assess value from concept through to mature product.
The MATCH project is an EPSRC Innovative Manufacturing Research Centre and a 10 year collaboration between 4 UK universities (Nottingham, Brunel, Birmingham and Ulster). The aim of MATCH is to improve the quality of medical devices produced in the UK and we aim to do this by supporting the healthcare technology sector and its user communities by creating methods to assess value from concept through to mature product.
MATCH is a multidisciplinary project that brings together experts from a range of disciplines including engineering, health economics, social science and medicine. In addition to the academic effort, MATCH is also working in partnership with a cohort of device manufacturers, health providers, Invest Northern Ireland and the National Patient Safety Agency.
The Nottingham hub provides particular expertise in human factors (Sarah Sharples and Jennifer Martin) and our research is primarily concerned with applying Human Factors methods and approaches to the development and evaluation of new medical devices.
Specific projects have included an evaluation of blood glucose meters by Type II diabetics and requirements elicitation for a new medical imaging device. We have also investigated the application and use of verbal protocol methods for understanding clinical tasks and environments.
Future MATCH research will focus on home and patient-use devices and aims to develop improved ways of encouraging and supporting patients to use these devices correctly, safely and regularly.
There are currently two MATCH human factors PhD students:
- Alex Lang is studying adolescent users of medical devices
- David Keane is investigating user behaviour in imaging and diagnostic medical devices
MATCH+ is a new study that recently developed from the main MATCH project. The aim of this is to develop novel methods of valuing issues such as design and usability. We are working with statisticians, economists and social scientists at the universities of Sheffield, Birmingham and Brunel on new health economic techniques that will allow manufacturers to calculate the effects of improved design of a device on cost-effectiveness.
For more information, visit the MATCH website or email Dr Sarah Sharples or Dr Jennifer Martin.