Lecture 9 Usability of Health Informatics Applications (Chapter 9)

Learning Objectives Key Concepts: Human Factors, Ergonomics, Human–Computer Interaction, and Usability. Goals and Axioms of Usability Human–Computer Interaction Frameworks and Components Usability Studies: Types, Tests, Methods, and Process IS 531 : Lecture 9

Key Concepts IS 531 : Lecture 9

Key Concepts … HUMAN FACTORS Interactions between humans and instruments/tools Ergonomics Human performance and interaction with physical characteristics of tools/ machines/computers/systems Focus on design for safety, comfort, and convenience IS 531 : Lecture 9

…Key Concepts Human-computer Interaction (HIC) How people design, implement, evaluate interactive computer systems in the context of users’ tasks and works Usability How a product can be used to achieve specific goals with effectiveness, efficiency, and satisfaction IS 531 : Lecture 9

Usability Goals … IS 531 : Lecture 9

… Usability Goals Allowing users to focus on the task at hand rather than on technology Effectiveness : usefulness and safety of technology in reaching goals: completeness, accuracy, cognitive match, tasks/functions allocation between human and computer IS 531 : Lecture 9

…Usability Goals Efficiency of expenditure resources : time, cost, productivity (error rates, learnability) User satisfaction of interactions with systems: positive perceptions about usability and perceived benefits lead to application acceptance and use IS 531 : Lecture 9

Axioms of Usability An early and central focus on users in the design and development of systems (understanding users in depth) Iterative design of application (allowing user to evaluate the prototype and provide feedback on systems effectiveness and efficiency) Systematic usability measures (design and evaluation in a recurring cycle, feedback loop) IS 531 : Lecture 9

Human–Computer Interaction Frameworks UFuRT (multiple users, expertise /cognitive characteristics, functions, functions/tasks analysis) FITT framework (individual, tasks, technology) HOT-fit (human, organization, technology-fit) Staggers Health Human–Computer Interaction Framework (developmental timelines, multiple contexts, multiple groups of users, multiple technologies) IS 531 : Lecture 9

Staggers HCI Frameworks IS 531 : Lecture 9

Components of Staggers HCI Framework: Patient, Provider, and Computer Behaviors User interface Human and technology characteristics Task information exchange process (explicit or implicit goal of task) Health context/environment (actual or virtual, concrete of cultural/abstract) Developmental trajectory (new human and technology characteristics emerge over time) Joint cognitive systems (systems development as a plan with feedback and feed forward loops in a cyclical model) IS 531 : Lecture 9

Basic Usability Tests ... Heuristics Evaluation / Heuristic Inspection Methods “Heuristic” = “Rule of thumb” Compare applications against accepted guidelines for efficiency and effectiveness IS 531 : Lecture 9

…Basic Usability Tests Simplified Usability Tests Discount Usability Technique: use a small numbers of users with “think aloud” technique Cognitive Walkthrough Use “think aloud” technique to elicit user’s thought processes while using an existing products. IS 531 : Lecture 9

Types of Usability Tests … Discovery Test to determine user needs and requirements at the beginning of SDLC Basic activities in this context Users cognitive process information Special considerations in this environment Attributes for initial design IS 531 : Lecture 9

…Types of Usability Tests Exploratory Test during early development or redesign Value of basic functionality Intuitive navigation and information flow Required computer experience IS 531 : Lecture 9

…Types of Usability Tests Assessment Test during midway development User performance of selected tasks System consistency across modules Quick detection of critical information IS 531 : Lecture 9

…Types of Usability Tests Validation Test Late in design cycle Test against predetermined standards, benchmarks, performance measures How well modules integrated in the whole system IS 531 : Lecture 9

…Types of Usability Tests Comparison Test Assess different technologies Which application/technology is more efficient Which design is more effective IS 531 : Lecture 9

Usability Methods … Task Analysis Focus on cognitive processes, observable user actions or interaction with a system to reach user’s goals What users are doing or required to do with a technology Tasks and behavioral actions between users and computers. IS 531 : Lecture 9

…Usability Methods Think-aloud Protocol Users will talk aloud as they interact with an application Usability Questionnaires QUIS, Purdue Usability Questionnaire SUMI IS 531 : Lecture 9

…Usability Methods Focused ethnographies Field study of people in cultural, social settings Study social relationships and their impacts on work IS 531 : Lecture 9

Process of Conducting Usability Tests … Define a clear purpose type, details, methods Assess constraints time, resources, technology, available users Use an HCI framework to refine each component. IS 531 : Lecture 9

…Process of Conducting Usability Tests Emphasize components of interest: control some framework components measure only what we want to know Match methods to purpose, constraints, and framework assessment. IS 531 : Lecture 9

Look into the Future New users (will include patients) New types of information New directives from agencies New technologies Ubiquitous computing “Usability has a strong, often relationship with clinical productivity, error rate, user fatigue and user satisfaction – critical factors for EMR adoption (HIMSS 2009)” Cf. p.171, § 5 IS 531 : Lecture 9