Here are three factors that we think make a huge impact on user experience in health IT.
User experience encompasses many factors to determine the quality of the individual’s perception and satisfaction with a product. The designers and programmers who work on a product must deliver a single outcome that can benefit a majority of very different users. The final design could yield an experience that ultimately encourages further use of the product. Individuals’ emotions, behaviors, interactions, perceptions, and preferences influence the qualitative assessment of a product’s user experience delivered. However, there are a few areas of user experience in health IT products that can be improved upon across multiple applications.
Presentation
The appearance and presentation of the product or web application should give the impression that it is easy to use, it is intuitive to navigate, and that it is an overall helpful tool. Strategically designing the product or interface with appropriate graphics, colors, fonts, and other visual elements are part of the way users perceive and interact with it. The visual design works to communicate other aspects of usability to the user, impacting overall satisfaction.
Usability
Usability, in terms of user experience in health IT, examines the effectiveness and efficiency of users accomplishing a desired task through the product. The nature of accessing electronic health records and traditional best practices of product usability don’t quite align. Usability generally refers to the ease of access or use of a product or website. When integrated with the technical aspects of secure health records, the way users interact with the information should be considered too. For example, the way healthcare providers use EHR software will differ from how a patient will want to use and view that same information.
System Security
User experience in health IT products faces a critical need for preserving trust and confidentiality with their users. Sensitive medical records and personal information gets stored and transmitted between different parties. A security breach not only becomes a violation of HIPAA rules, but it can diminish trust in the product across other users who hear about the breach. Negative and skeptical attitudes impact people’s user experience and can even drive people away from the product altogether. Healthcare IT professionals who are familiar with both medical regulations and computer security systems ensure breaches like these are rare or near impossible.
Healthcare IT Services and Solutions from Audley Consulting Group
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