Overcoming Challenges to Inclusive User-based Testing of Health Information Technology with Vulnerable Older Adults:...

Area of Science:

• Human-Computer Interaction
• Gerontology
• Health Informatics

Background:

• User-centered design (UCD) in health information technology (HIT) necessitates involving representative users in usability testing.
• Older adults, particularly those who are vulnerable, have unique needs that can impact their participation and performance in HIT usability testing.
• Aging can affect physical and cognitive abilities, requiring specialized approaches for effective user testing with this demographic.

Purpose of the Study:

• To provide expert-based recommendations for conducting usability testing of HIT with older adults.
• To support inclusive design and evaluation of HIT systems for an aging population.
• To address the specific challenges and requirements of testing HIT with vulnerable older adults.

Main Methods:

• A structured workshop with ten HIT experts was conducted to identify challenges in testing with older adults.
• Five Human Factors researchers with experience in HIT user testing with older adults validated the findings.
• Thematic analysis was applied to expert insights, guided by the User-Centered Design framework.

Main Results:

• Nine key recommendations for HIT usability testing with older adults were developed.
• Recommendations are categorized into three themes: empathetic approach and trust-building, new testing/study design requirements, and usability evaluation method adjustments.
• Checklists are provided for each theme to guide practical implementation.

Conclusions:

• Expert-generated recommendations enhance the effectiveness of HIT usability testing for older adults.
• These recommendations are crucial for improving HIT accessibility through inclusive UCD.
• The study contributes to more equitable and user-friendly health information technology for the aging population.