scholarly journals “We want it now and we want it easy”: Usability testing of an online health library for healthcare practitioners

Author(s):  
Christine J. Neilson ◽  
Virginia Wilson

Introduction – The purpose of this study was to undertake website usability testing of the Saskatchewan Health Information Resources Partnership (SHIRP) online library website,. a digital library for healthcare providers working in the province of Saskatchewan, to determine whether the SHIRP website is intuitive for healthcare practitioners to use. Methods: Thirteen volunteers from four locations in the province participated in a usability test that included a portion devoted to the completion of tasks, as well as a series of semi-structured interview questions. Data were analyzed and themes were identified that were used to redesign the SHIRP website. Results – Nine out of the 13 main menu terms on the SHIRP website were problematic. A relatively low number of participants completed the assigned tasks on the first try. The SHIRP website was determined to be unwieldy and not completely intuitive. Conclusions – Asking front line healthcare providers what they need and want in an online library website should be the first step in creating or redesigning such a site. The time available to healthcare providers for doing library research is often limited, so the site needs to be simple, clean, and fast to use.

2021 ◽  
Vol 4 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. 41-42
Author(s):  
E Johnson ◽  
M Carbonneau ◽  
D Campbell-Scherer ◽  
P Tandon ◽  
A Hyde

Abstract Background Cirrhosis is the leading cause of mortality and morbidity in individuals with gastrointestinal disease. Multiple care gaps exist for hospitalized patients with cirrhosis, resulting in high rates of re-hospitalization (e.g. 44% at 90 days in Alberta). The Cirrhosis Care Alberta (CCAB) is a 4-year multi-component pragmatic trial with an aim to reduce acute-care utilization by implementing an electronic order set and supporting education across eight hospital sites in Alberta. Aims As part of the pre-implementation evaluation, this qualitative study analyzed data from provider focus groups to identify barriers and facilitators to implementation. Methods We conducted focus groups at eight hospital sites with a total of 54 healthcare providers (3–12 per site). A semi-structured interview guide based upon constructs of the Consolidated Framework for Implementation Research (CFIR) and Normalization Process Theory (NPT) frameworks was used to guide the focus groups. Focus groups were recorded and transcribed verbatim. Data was analyzed thematically and inductively. Results Five major themes emerged across all eight sites: (i) understanding past implementation experiences, (ii) resource challenges, (iii) competing priorities among healthcare providers, (iv) system challenges, and (v) urban versus rural differences. Site-specific barriers included perceived lack of patient flow, time restraints, and concerns about the quality and quantity of past implementation interventions. Facilitators included passionate project champions, and an ample feedback process. Conclusions Focus groups were useful for identifying pre-implementation barriers and facilitators of an electronic orders set. Findings from this study are being refined to address the influence of COVID-19, and the data will be used to inform the intervention roll-out at each of the sites. Funding Agencies Alberta Innovates


Author(s):  
Xian Wu ◽  
Jenay M. Beer

Telepresence has the potential to assist older adults to stay socially connected and to access telehealth. Telepresence was initially created for office use, thus the usability of telepresence for older adults remains unknown and there is a lack of design recommendations, particularly those with an emphasis on users’ age-related needs and limitations. To bridge the gap, this study assessed two telepresence user interfaces (UIs). One UI was designed to mimic common features founds in commercially available telepresence systems. Another UI was designed based on design guidelines for older adults. Each UI was integrated to a virtual driving environment created via Unity. To assess the usability of both UIs, thirty older adults participated in usability testing. Questionnaires and semi-structured interview were administered following each UI test sessions. Results of this study provide insight on what usability features are critical for the aging population to use telepresence, such as high color contrast, automated controls, and consistent icons.


2021 ◽  
Vol 29 (10) ◽  
pp. 579-588
Author(s):  
Clementine Djatmika ◽  
Joanne Lusher ◽  
Jane Meyrick ◽  
James Byron-Daniel

Background Despite the steady increase in the number of women giving birth via caesarean section in the UK, little is understood about how shared decision making is implemented in obstetrics or what this means for women that have given birth via caesarean. The aim of this review is to assess narratives of women's experiences of caesarean birth as an informed choice and their involvement in this process. Methods A number of databases were searched, including MEDLINE via EBSCO, EMBASE via OVID, MIDIRS via OVID, Scopus, Wiley Online Library, Google Scholar and Ethos, as well as the reference sections of the included studies. Primary studies published between 1990–2020 were included and quality was assessed using the critical appraisal skills programme tool. Findings were analysed using a thematic synthesis framework to elicit higher order interpretations. Results A total of 11 studies were included in the final review. Quality assessment indicated the studies were generally of good quality, with the main limitations being in methodology quality indicators. Thematic synthesis identified eight subthemes within three main themes: ‘patient-doctor relationships’, ‘decision making as an emotional journey’ and ‘caesarean not really an informed “choice”’. The role of healthcare providers in promoting women's agency via patient-centred care was a prominent theme in women's narratives. Conclusions Women's decision making in consent to undergo caesarean births is a complex, emotionally driven process that can have a significant long-term psychological impact.


2018 ◽  
Vol 18 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Diana C. Sanchez-Ramirez ◽  
Heather Long ◽  
Stephanie Mowat ◽  
Casey Hein

2021 ◽  
Vol 21 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
J. K. Okemo ◽  
D. Kamya ◽  
A. M. Mwaniki ◽  
M. Temmerman

Abstract Background Preconception care (PCC) is a form of preventive health care that is offered to women and couples before conception, with the aim of improving their health status and mitigating various risk factors that could contribute to poor maternal and child health outcomes. The levels of PCC utilization are still low globally, especially in developing countries and in rural areas. Little is known regarding PCC use in Kenya that could help in addressing this shortfall. This study aimed to qualitatively assess the determinants of PCC in urban and rural settings in Kenya. Methods A qualitative approach was employed to assess determinants of PCC using a semi-structured interview guide. The study was conducted from May to October 2017. Selected pregnant women seeking antenatal care (ANC) were recruited by quota sampling, at the Mother and Child Health (MCH) clinics in Aga Khan University Hospital, Nairobi (AKUH, N-urban) and Maragua Level Four Hospital (MLFH-rural). The interviews were thereafter transcribed verbatim and analyzed thematically. Findings A total of 26 women were invited, of whom 21 accepted to participate in in-depth interviews (IDIs). Saturation of themes occurred with 13 interviews (7 at AKUH and 6 at MLFH). Transcription, coding and thematic analysis of the IDIs yielded 12 themes. Eleven of these themes were identified as determinants of PCC. The twelfth theme contained suggested strategies of increasing PCC awareness and utilization, such as using the media, setting up PCC clinics and integrating PCC into other clinics. The dominant themes were awareness about PCC and attitudes towards PCC and pregnancy. The broad determinants of PCC were similar in urban and rural settings – with a few notable exceptions. For example, in the rural setting, women’s level of education and a pervasive history of poor interactions with healthcare providers were major determinants of PCC. Conclusion From this study we conclude that women’s lack of awareness about PCC, in conjunction with attitudes towards PCC and pregnancy impact strongly on its utilization. This lack of awareness could be addressed through health education programs for both the public and for healthcare providers, as well as integrating PCC in the curricula of the later.


2022 ◽  
Vol 12 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lorraine Smith-MacDonald ◽  
Jaimie Lusk ◽  
Dayna Lee-Baggley ◽  
Katherine Bright ◽  
Alexa Laidlaw ◽  
...  

Introduction:In the context of the global pandemic of the SARS-CoV-2 coronavirus (COVID-19), healthcare providers (HCPs) have experienced difficult moral and ethical dilemmas. Research is highlighting the importance of moral injury (MI)–a trauma syndrome related to transgressing personal morals and values–in understanding the psychological harm and occupational impairment experienced by HCPs. To date, MI treatments have largely been developed for military personnel and veterans and rely on in-person one-on-one psychotherapy.Purpose:This project aims to explore the feasibility and acceptability of an evidence-informed online Acceptance and Commitment Therapy-based group therapy for MI in HCPs called “Accepting Moral Pain and Suffering for Healthcare Providers” (AMPS-HCP).Method:This feasibility and acceptability study included three separate phases with the first two phases focused on the development of the psychotherapeutic intervention and the third phase focused on the evaluation of the psychotherapeutic intervention. Eight participants (including registered nurses, practical nurses and respiratory therapists) completed seven 90-min sessions in an online group format. The focus of these sessions included ACT and MI psychoeducation and experientials. Qualitative semi-structured interview data was thematically analyzed while demographic and quantitative self-reported outcome data underwent descriptive analysis and non-parametric testing.Results:Results show that the intervention was highly feasible and acceptable to healthcare providers who worked on the frontline during COVID-19. Feasibility (referrals, eligibility, retention, participation engagement) was strong (8 out of 10 participants; 80% vs. desired >70% eligibility) and overall, 80% of participants completed 71% of the intervention. Data further supported the applicability and acceptability of the intervention. Preliminary data suggests that AMPS-HCP may supports HCPs to address MI.Discussion:This study is the first to report on the development and evaluation of an online MI group intervention for registered nurses, registered practical nurses, and respiratory therapists working during COVID-19. Results showed the use of both the online and group components of the intervention were acceptable and feasible during the third wave of COVID-19.


2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Joan Khavugwi Okemo ◽  
Dorothy Kamya ◽  
Abraham Mukaindo Mwaniki ◽  
Marleen Temmerman

Abstract BACKGROUNDPreconception care (PCC) is a form of preventive health care that is offered to women and couples before conception, with the aim of improving their health status and mitigating various risk factors that could contribute to poor maternal and child health outcomes. The levels of PCC utilization are still low globally, especially in developing countries and in the rural areas. Little is known regarding PCC use in Kenya that could help in bridging this gap. This study aimed to assess the determinants of PCC in urban and rural settings in Kenya.METHODSSelected pregnant women seeking antenatal care (ANC) were recruited by purposive sampling at the Mother and Child Health (MCH) clinics in Aga Khan University Hospital, Nairobi (AKUH, N-urban) and Maragua Level Four Hospital (MLFH-rural). A qualitative approach was employed to assess determinants of PCC using a semi-structured interview guide. The interviews were transcribed verbatim and analyzed thematically.RESULTS A total of 26 women were invited, of whom 21 accepted to participate in in-depth interviews (IDIs). Saturation of themes occurred after 13 interviews (7 at AKUH and 6 at MLFH).Transcription, coding and thematic analysis of the IDIs yielded 12 main themes. Eleven of the main themes were identified as determinants of PCC while the twelfth theme contained suggested strategies of increasing PCC awareness and utilization, such as using the media, setting up PCC clinics and integrating PCC into other clinics. The dominant themes were awareness about PCC and attitudes towards PCC and pregnancy.The broad determinants of PCC were similar in urban and rural settings – with a few notable exceptions. For example, in the rural setting, women’s level of education and a pervasive history of poor interactions with healthcare providers were major determinants of PCC.CONCLUSIONFrom this study we conclude that women’s lack of awareness about PCC, in conjunction with attitudes towards PCC and pregnancy impact strongly on its utilization. This lack of awareness could be addressed through health education programs for both the public and for healthcare providers, as well as integrating PCC in the curricula of nurses and doctors.


2021 ◽  
pp. 89-104
Author(s):  
Dennis Meredith

The first step to a quality website is to plan design, layout, and content with an understanding of audiences’ information needs. User-friendly design principles are also important to a website’s effectiveness. Web writing needs to be more concise than other types of writing, taking into account the reading practices of visitors to websites. Including a broad range of content makes the site a go-to resource and increases visibility. Usability testing once a site is developed also offers important insights that can guide improvements. Keeping a site fresh with new content and marketing the site also enhance its value.


2015 ◽  
Vol 6 (3) ◽  
pp. 33-45
Author(s):  
James Thull

Well-developed research skills are essential to our student's educational success. For a generation that will create more information than was created by all those who came before them access to information is not an issue, at least for those on the access side of the digital divide. However as that wealth of information grows so does the need for the skill sets that allows one to pull the drops of needed information from the ocean that they have available to search. Students, who have not known a world without Google, smart phones, and abundant wireless internet access, often feel their research skills are good enough but usually fail, not in the search for information, but in the ability to determine what the best information is and how to find it most efficiently. Online library research classes are one of the best methods for providing students with the skills they need to succeed. Designing, implementing, and teaching library research classes allows librarians to communicate research skills that meet our students at their point of need. This paper will provide an examination of the benefits for students, libraries and faculty in providing these classes, an overview on how they can be structured to meet the information literacy needs of any student and basic information on how to create library research classes at any institution of higher education.


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