J. L. Webster

Papers

Total Citations

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About

J. L. Webster is a pioneering researcher in the intersection of human factors, surgical technology, and team communication, with a focus on improving performance and safety in robotic-assisted surgery. Their work examines how new technologies—particularly surgical robots—affect attention, teamwork, and information flow in high-stakes operating room environments. Webster’s most cited paper, “Lowering Communication Barriers in Operating Room Technology” (2006, 50 citations), is a landmark case study of a robot-assisted cholecystectomy, revealing how advanced systems can disrupt team coordination and offering design principles to enhance collaborative performance. In earlier work, Webster explored how visual force feedback can compensate for the lack of haptics in robotic surgery (2003, 8 citations), and how divided attention between surgical and robotic tasks impairs surgeon performance and memory (2004, 2 citations). These contributions are foundational for designing more intuitive, human-centered surgical robots. Webster’s research is essential reading for students and engineers working on medical robotics, human-computer interaction, and team cognition in complex systems, highlighting the critical need to align technology with human capabilities.