TASK ENVELOPES: THE MISSING LINK

This paper offers a theoretical exploration of a new model for ergonomics practice and research in healthcare systems. A new concept for team (small group) working is being proposed, the task envelope (TE), as a conceptual framework for the perceived missing link between the workspace ergonomic envelope (micro) and organisational (macro) systems. It is suggested that healthcare task envelopes may offer a new way to integrate complex contextual information from the multi-disciplinary clinical team in the design process of technology and systems that could be used at the definition and test stages, and then again as the context to measure the benefits.