Rose Campbell | Search PubMed

PubMed2006

An evaluation of five bedside information products using a user-centered, task-oriented approach.

PURPOSE: The paper compares several bedside information tools using user-centered, task-oriented measures to assist those making or supporting purchasing decisions. METHODS: Eighteen potential users were asked to attempt to answer clinical questions using five commercial products (ACP's PIER, DISEASEDEX, FIRSTConsult, InfoRetriever, and UpToDate). Users evaluated each tool for ease-of-use and user satisfaction. The average number of questions answered and user satisfaction were measured for each product. RESULTS: Results show no significant differences in user perceptions of content quality. However, user interaction measures (such as screen layout) show a significant preference for the UpToDate product. In addition, users found answers to significantly more questions using UpToDate. CONCLUSION: When evaluating electronic products designed for use at the point of care, the user interaction aspects of a product become as important as more traditional content-based measures of quality. Actual or potential users of such products are appropriately equipped to identify which products rate the highest on these measures.

Adult↗

PubMed2005

Comparing bedside information tools: a user-centered, task-oriented approach.

There are a number of electronic products designed to provide information at the point of care. These bedside information tools can facilitate the practice of Evidence Based Medicine. This paper evaluates five of these products using user-centered and task-oriented methods. Twenty-four users of these products were asked to attempt to answer clinical questions using a variety of products. The proportion of questions answered, time spent searching and user satisfaction were measured for each product. Results show that proportion of questions answered and time spent searching was not necessarily correlated with user satisfaction with a product. When evaluating electronic products designed for use at the point of care, the user interaction aspects of a product become as important as more traditional content-based measures of quality. Actual or potential users of such products are in the pest position to identify which products rate the best in these measures.

Attitude to Computers↗