[Evaluation of usability of an e-learning software in healthcare]

The usability study of a software system aims at improving learning times and task execution, as well as decreasing the number of errors and increasing the user satisfaction. Goal of the present study is to assess the usability of a healthcare e-learning software in relationship with professional and personal variables. To eighty healthcare operators have been administered: a) a questionnaire for the assessment of their skills in using PCs and their opinions on e-learning; b) SUS and SUMI questionnaires for the evaluation of system usability; c) the LOC-L questionnaire, to assess the type of individual locus-of-control, either internal or external. The data analysis resulted in positive usability assessment for the system here considered. No relationship could be found between SUS scores and the number hours per week spent in using the PC, the experience and opinions of users on e-learning systems. Data from the LOC-L questionnaire show how usability scores are not influenced by the type of individual locus-of-control. The results here obtained show how SUS and SUMI questionnaires can be effectively employed to assess usability of an e-learning software system.