Understanding the Impact of Clinical Training on EHR Use Optimization

Area of Science:

• Medical Informatics
• Human-Computer Interaction
• Cognitive Psychology

Background:

• Electronic health records (EHRs) are critical for modern healthcare delivery.
• Usability challenges in EHRs can negatively impact patient care and physician workflow.
• Understanding user variability is essential for effective EHR design and implementation.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate how different physician experience levels (residents, fellows, attending physicians) interact with EHR interfaces.
• To introduce a novel user analysis approach using eye tracking technology.
• To determine if varying levels of clinical experience correlate with distinct EHR interaction patterns.

Main Methods:

• Utilized eye tracking technology to record user interactions with a specific EHR interface.
• Analyzed fixation counts as a primary metric to quantify user attention and behavior.
• Compared eye tracking data across three distinct physician groups based on their training and experience levels.

Main Results:

• Significant differences in fixation patterns were observed among residents, fellows, and attending physicians.
• Physicians with different experience levels exhibited varied visual search strategies and interaction behaviors within the same EHR system.
• Eye tracking data provided objective insights into the subjective user experience.

Conclusions:

• Physician experience level is a critical factor influencing EHR usability and user experience.
• User analysis, particularly incorporating objective measures like eye tracking, is crucial for EHR usability testing.
• Future EHR design should consider the diverse needs and interaction patterns of different user groups to enhance overall system effectiveness and patient care.