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Usability engineering in patients follow-up medical information systems

Abstract:

This paper tries to show that the key quality attribute to introduce information systems in health environments at present is the usability obtained with human-computer interaction techniques (HCI). A neonatology management system was selected to show the application of a usability engineering process. In order to achieve high usability levels, a specific methodology was followed and specialized medical users periodically took part in the design process. The methodology is essentially an effective mixture of HCI techniques with minimum cost. This system provides medical professionals with all the information required to check and follow up patients periodically. The results show that not only the users accepted the system in their work environment, but they spontaneously increased their participation in the design as they benefited from the system. Even, they proposed new system features and capabilities that allow to improve the health care.