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Development of methods for usability evaluations of EHR systems
Lars H Lilholt1, Signe S Pedersen, Inge Madsen
1Department of Health Science and Technology, Aalborg University, Denmark. lars@lilholt.biz
Studies in Health Technology and Informatics
|November 17, 2006
Summary
This study combined lab tests and field studies to find usability problems in electronic health record (EHR) systems. This hybrid approach effectively identified critical issues in EHR software crucial for clinical environments.
Area of Science:
- Health Informatics
- Human-Computer Interaction
- Software Engineering
Background:
- Electronic Health Record (EHR) system development in Denmark is an ongoing, iterative process requiring clinical environment considerations.
- A robust methodology for integrating clinical knowledge and system robustness is currently lacking.
- Usability evaluations are essential for involving clinicians in EHR development.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate methods for identifying usability problems in EHR systems.
- To explore the combination of laboratory tests and field studies for EHR usability evaluation.
- To address the challenges of simulating complex clinical use in laboratory settings and ethical constraints of field studies.
Main Methods:
- A hybrid approach combining laboratory testing and field study methods.
- Utilized think aloud protocol, video/screen recording, and debriefing.
- Employed an authentic patient record scenario within the production EHR system, supported by method and data triangulation.
Main Results:
- Identified usability problems across system response time, GUI design, functionality, procedures, and error messages.
- Classified problems using a rating scale: cosmetic, severe, and critical.
- Observed that authentic scenarios revealed specific usability issues not apparent in standard testing.
Conclusions:
- Combining laboratory and field study methods is effective for identifying EHR usability problems.
- The use of authentic scenarios is crucial for uncovering context-specific usability issues.
- This approach enhances the reliability and validity of usability evaluations in clinical software development.
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