Usability of clinical decision support system as a facilitator for learning the assistive technology adaptation process

Abstract

The aim of this study was to evaluate the usability of Ontology Supported Computerized Assistive Technology Recommender (OSCAR), a Clinical Decision Support System (CDSS) for the assistive technology adaptation process, its impact on learning the matching process, and to determine the relationship between its usability and learnability. Two groups of expert and novice clinicians (total, n = 26) took part in this study. Each group filled out system usability scale (SUS) to evaluate OSCAR's usability. The novice group completed a learning questionnaire to assess OSCAR's effect on their ability to learn the matching process. Both groups rated OSCAR's usability as “very good”, (M [SUS] = 80.7, SD = 11.6, median = 83.7) by the novices, and (M [SUS] = 81.2, SD = 6.8, median = 81.2) by the experts. The Mann–Whitney results indicated that no significant differences were found between the expert and novice groups in terms of OSCAR's usability. A significant positive correlation existed between the usability of OSCAR and the ability to learn the adaptation process (rs = 0.46, p = 0.04). Usability is an important factor in the acceptance of a system. The successful application of user-centered design principles during the development of OSCAR may serve as a case study that models the significant elements to be considered, theoretically and practically in developing other systems.

Implications for Rehabilitation

• Creating a CDSS with a focus on its usability is an important factor for its acceptance by its users.

• Successful usability outcomes can impact the learning process of the subject matter in general, and the AT prescription process in particular.

• The successful application of User-Centered Design principles during the development of OSCAR may serve as a case study that models the significant elements to be considered, theoretically and practically.

• The study emphasizes the importance of close collaboration between the developers and the end users.

• Assistive technology
• CDSS
• learnability
• people with disabilities
• usability
• user-centered design

Acknowledgements

The authors gratefully acknowledge the contribution of the AT experts (Hagit Rubin, Iris Adato-Biran, Michal Emanoell, Naomi Grill, Orit Grinstein and Talia Farber) for their time, effort and willingness to share their experience in constructing and validating the ontology. The authors thank Ella Nizan and Slomit Levikson for their help with the technical part of the OSCAR development.

Declaration of interest

This work has been partially supported by a Shalem Foundation Grant 2010 and the Werner Otto Scholarships.