Usability Evaluation Assignment
In evaluating new health information technology (HIT), we need to assess how they can potentially be used in our practice setting to support our delivering the best patient care possible. This is an opportunity for you to apply your understanding of usability to items you come across on a regular basis.
Choose a non-computerized item such as a non-electric object (e.g. hypodermic syringe, etc) or an electric object (e.g. light switch, etc) that is not computerized
THEN
Describe the steps to using the non-computerized item
Assess its usability by applying concepts as described by Nielsen’s Ten Usability Heuristics
- Evaluate the user interface usability by selecting one of the applicable Instrument (user interface evaluation tool)Links to an external site.
Provide a brief summary of your evaluation
Here is an example of a usability evaluation for Digital Blood Pressure Monitor
Expert Solution Preview
Introduction:
Usability is crucial in the field of healthcare, particularly when it comes to health information technology. As a medical professor responsible for creating college assignments and answers for medical college students, one such assignment that I would design is an evaluation of usability. This assignment would assess how students can potentially use new health information technology in their practice setting to support patient care effectively.
Answer:
The usability evaluation assignment would require medical college students to choose a non-computerized item such as a hypodermic syringe or a light switch. They would then describe the steps required to use the non-computerized item and assess its usability by applying Nielsen’s Ten Usability Heuristics.
Students would also need to evaluate the user interface usability by selecting one of the applicable instruments (user interface evaluation tool) as described in the assignment. Finally, they would provide a brief summary of their evaluation.
A sample usability evaluation for a digital blood pressure monitor is provided as an example for students to follow. By conducting this evaluation, medical college students would develop a deeper understanding of usability in healthcare and how the usability of medical equipment can affect patient care.
