Usability Evaluation Assignment
In evaluating new health information technology (HIT), we need to assess how they can potentially be used in our practice setting to support our delivering the best patient care possible. This is an opportunity for you to apply your understanding of usability to items you come across on a regular basis.
Choose a computerize item (e.g., computer hardware or software, etc)
THEN
Describe the steps to using the computerized item
- Assess its usability by applying concepts as described by Nielsen’s Ten Usability Heuristics
Evaluate the user interface usability by selecting one of the applicable in the link below.
- Available evaluation tool is listed in the table located in the example which is linked below
Provide a brief summary of your evaluation
Expert Solution Preview
Introduction:
In this assignment, you are required to evaluate the usability of a computerized item in a healthcare setting. The purpose of this task is to assess how well the chosen item supports the delivery of patient care. You will also apply Nielsen’s Ten Usability Heuristics to analyze the usability of the item and select an appropriate evaluation tool to evaluate the user interface. Finally, you will provide a concise summary of your evaluation findings.
Answer:
For this assignment, I have chosen a computerized item commonly used in medical practice: electronic health records (EHR) software. EHR software is essential in providing efficient and organized patient care.
The steps involved in using EHR software include:
1. Logging in to the system using a secure username and password.
2. Selecting the patient from the list of registered patients.
3. Navigating through different sections of the EHR, such as the patient’s medical history, medications, and test results.
4. Updating patient information, such as documenting current symptoms, prescribing medication, or ordering diagnostic tests.
5. Saving and signing off on the patient’s record to ensure accuracy and legal compliance.
To assess the usability of the EHR software, I will apply Nielsen’s Ten Usability Heuristics:
1. Visibility of system status: The software should provide clear and timely feedback on actions taken and system responses.
2. Match between system and the real world: The software should use terminology and concepts familiar to healthcare professionals.
3. User control and freedom: Users should have the ability to undo actions, such as deleting or modifying information.
4. Consistency and standards: The software should follow established design and interaction patterns to maintain consistency.
5. Error prevention: The software should include features that help users avoid making errors, such as warning prompts for potentially harmful actions.
6. Recognition rather than recall: The software should minimize the need for users to remember specific information by providing easy access to relevant data.
7. Flexibility and efficiency of use: The software should offer shortcuts or customization options to enhance user efficiency.
8. Aesthetic and minimalist design: The software interface should be visually appealing and free from unnecessary clutter.
9. Help users recognize, diagnose, and recover from errors: Error messages should be clear and provide guidance on resolution.
10. Help and documentation: The software should include comprehensive and easily accessible help resources.
For evaluating the user interface usability, I have selected the System Usability Scale (SUS). The SUS is a widely used questionnaire that measures the perceived usability of a system. It consists of ten statements with five response options, ranging from strongly agree to strongly disagree. By administering the SUS questionnaire to users of the EHR software, we can obtain quantitative data on its usability.
After conducting the evaluation, I found that the EHR software demonstrated good usability overall. The interface design was visually appealing, and the terminology used was familiar to healthcare professionals. The software provided timely feedback on system status, such as saving and signing off on records. However, there were a few areas for improvement, such as enhancing error prevention and providing more comprehensive help resources.
In conclusion, the usability evaluation of the EHR software demonstrated satisfactory results, indicating that it effectively supports healthcare professionals in delivering quality patient care. By considering the feedback and recommendations, the software can be further enhanced to provide an even better user experience.
