Title: Revealing clinicians' experiences towards healthcare software usability using human-centred design approach

Authors: Ajit Kumar; Sanjeev Maskara

Addresses: Institute of Cognitive Neuroscience, National Central University, No. 300, Jhongda Road, Jhongli City, Taoyuan County 32001, Taiwan ' Locality Clinical Lead GP for The Practice PLC (East Region), The Practice South Woodham Ferreres, Chelmsford, Essex CM3 5ZT, UK

Abstract: Clinicians often report a loss of productivity and frustration while using healthcare software. There is a pressing need to understand the clinicians' experiences about healthcare software. This study was a small pilot study intended to reveal clinicians' experiences towards healthcare software usability. Four participants and two facilitators from India participated in this study. This study used the human-centred design approach that included three phases - observation, pattern identification, and ideation and delivery. Each phase involved: 1) techniques - brainstorming, voting, discussion, and mutual consensus among participants; 2) tools - pen, papers, flip charts, sticky notes, and marker pen. This study revealed 29 insights, six themes, a conceptual framework with an immediately available opportunity, and 32 potential solutions for the identified immediate opportunity. The study results suggest that clinicians' experiences towards healthcare software usability are highly affected by the interface design of the healthcare software. Therefore, intuitive interface design is an immediately available opportunity. We received 32 recommendations for designing intuitive interfaces of the healthcare software. Interface designers may keep these 32 recommendations in their mind, as a broad wish list of clinicians, in the early stages of design.

Keywords: interface design; human-centred design; HCD; information and communications technology; healthcare technology; clinician experiences; healthcare software; software usability; information technology; ICT; India; intuitive interfaces.

DOI: 10.1504/JDR.2015.067229

Journal of Design Research, 2015 Vol.13 No.1, pp.36 - 54

Received: 30 Jun 2014
Accepted: 30 Sep 2014
Published online: 01 Feb 2015 *

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