Barriers to Patient Inclusivity in GeoHealth Platforms: Usability Testing Insights

This paper evaluated user feedback surrounding the inclusivity of a national GeoHealth informatics tool prototype that visualized community-level indicators across domains related to digital health accessibility. There is a critical gap in the literature regarding the end-user needs of GeoHealth tools, including usability testing. Formal usability testing was conducted with participants representing the patient population on a GeoHealth tool prototype. Participants used the "think-aloud" technique to help observers capture qualitative insights. Results revealed barriers linked to expert-oriented design, specialized terminology (e.g., "domains," "indices"), and insufficient contextual guidance. Users often perceived the tool as intended for professionals, which led to hesitancy and limited exploration. This research contributed to a deeper understanding of the considerations needed when designing GeoHealth tools. Patient inclusivity requires plain-language interfaces, intuitive cues, and other embedded supports. These strategies can bridge the expert-lay gap and enhance equitable participation across the digital health landscape. This study highlights the importance of ensuring patient inclusiveness in design and usability for GeoHealth platforms' roles in the health informatics landscape.