A Qualitative Evaluation of the Usability of a Hospital-Wide Electronic Medication Management System in the Oncology setting using the Unified Theory and Use of Technology Framework
Abstract Background: In light of the complexity of the medication process and the difficultly of examining it in isolation from other interrelated processes and contextual factors, this qualitative research aims to fill the gap in the literature by cohesively determining the usability of a hospital-wide Electronic Medication Management System in a specialised oncology unit by bringing in the perspective of three key user groups. Furthermore, it demonstrates how the UTAUT can be used to guide qualitative evaluation studies in evaluating the usability of an integrated EMMS. Methods: This was a qualitative study conducted in a 12-bed hospital outpatient Oncology unit in a major teaching hospital. In-depth semi-structured interviews were performed with the doctors, nurses and pharmacists to identify user’s requirements. Data were analysed by using the UTAUT framework for analysis. Results: The UTAUT framework facilitated the evaluation of interrelated aspects and provided a structured summary of user experience usability factors. The direct cross comparison between user groups illustrated that doctors and pharmacists were generally satisfied with the facilitating conditions (hardware and training), but had varying perceptions of performance (automation, standardised protocols and communication and documented) and effort (mental and temporal demand). On the other hand, nurses were generally satisfied across all constructs. It also illustrated the key role that ‘previous system experience’ plays in developing user’s system frustrations and acted as a moderator for these constructs. Conclusion: Considering the complexity of the medication process and the difficultly of examining it in isolation from other interrelated processes and contextual factors, this study cohesively demonstrated the need to explore perceptions of usability across user groups. It illustrated that doctors and pharmacists were satisfied with the EMMS if it provided desirable utility to their practice, and nurses when the EMMS was easy to use in the nursing processes using the UTAUT framework. As multidisciplinary teams are involved in cancer care, all potential users and their requirements should be considered.