Author/Authors :
Almasi, Sohrab Department of Health Information Technology - School of Paramedical Sciences - AJA University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran , Mehrabi, Nahid Department of Health Information Technology - School of Paramedical Sciences - AJA University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran , Asadi, Farkhondeh Department of Health Information Technology and Management - School of Allied Medical Sciences - Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran , Afzali, Mahboobeh Department of Emergency Medicine - School of Paramedical Sciences - Aja University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
Abstract :
Introduction: The emergency department is of special importance due to its emergency and vital services, the
high volume of referrals, and the patients’ physical condition. Thus, it requires a well-designed information
system with no usability problems. This study aimed to evaluate the usability of the emergency department
information system from users’ perspectives. Methods: This was a cross-sectional study. The research setting
was the emergency department of 3 hospitals. The research instrument was a 37-item questionnaire adapted
from the USE and ISO Metrics questionnaires, consisting of five dimensions measuring the usefulness of the
system, ease of use, ease of learning, user satisfaction, and suitability for the task. The content validity of the
questionnaire was examined using the content validity ratio and content validity index, and its reliability was
assessed using Cronbach’s alpha (α = 0.88). Results: Fifty questionnaires were administered in the three hospi-
tals, and the response rate was 80%. According to the findings, 55% of the respondents were female. The highest
mean scores belonged to usefulness in emergency department information system (EDIS) A, ease of use in EDIS
B, ease of learning in EDIS A, user satisfaction in EDIS C, and suitability for the task in EDIS A. According to
the usability evaluation criteria, ease of learning (3.66 ± 0.74), usefulness (3.53 ± 0.87), and suitability for the
task (3.47 ± 0.96) received the highest scores, and the lowest scores belonged to user satisfaction (3.29 ± 1.01)
and ease of use (3.12 ± 1.00). Conclusion: In terms of usability criteria, the emergency department information
system is at a relatively good level. The usability of these systems can be further enhanced by considering the
users’ working needs, improving software flexibility, customizing the software, using data visualization tools,
observing consistency of features and standards, and increasing the quality of information and system services.
