Usability Testing
Date
2015
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HumanEra @ UHN & IFMBE Clinical Engineering Division
Abstract
When a technology or system change is evaluated in isolation, the effect of external factors like the environment of use, interfacing technologies and equipment, and team dynamics of multiple care providers are unknown. Putting that same technology in a simulated environment and in the hands of real end users, however, can reveal what problems or unanticipated consequences to expect when the technology or system change is implemented.
Whereas during a vendor demonstration of a new technology the technology is shown as a stand-alone device and observers must independently consider as many ‘what- ifs’ as they can think of in the moment, to identify how the technology will fit with its environment and work processes, usability testing allows people to think, and work through tasks and any associated difficulties in a systematic way, without the assistance of highly trained product specialists and within a safe environment.
Description
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HTM