2000/06/01 by Ihab Usta, Ihab M. Usta · 1 citation
Medicine · #Chronic Disease Management Strategies #Clinical practice guidelines implementation #Diabetes Management and Education
paper · pdf · doi:10.1136/jme.26.3.217-a
openalex publication_date 2000/06/01 · openalex created_date 2025/10/10 · openalex updated_date 2026/07/30
<h3>PURPOSE</h3> We compared use of a new diabetes dashboard screen with use of a conventional approach of viewing multiple electronic health record (EHR) screens to find data needed for ambulatory diabetes care. <h3>METHODS</h3> We performed a usability study, including a quantitative time study and qualitative analysis of information-seeking behaviors. While being recorded with Morae Recorder software and “think-aloud” interview methods, 10 primary care physicians first searched their EHR for 10 diabetes data elements using a conventional approach for a simulated patient, and then using a new diabetes dashboard for another. We measured time, number of mouse clicks, and accuracy. Two coders analyzed think-aloud and interview data using grounded theory methodology. <h3>RESULTS</h3> The mean time needed to find all data elements was 5.5 minutes using the conventional approach vs 1.3 minutes using the diabetes dashboard (<i>P</i> <.001). Physicians correctly identified 94% of the data requested using the conventional method, vs 100% with the dashboard (<i>P</i> <.01). The mean number of mouse clicks was 60 for conventional searching vs 3 clicks with the diabetes dashboard (<i>P</i> <.001). A common theme was that in everyday practice, if physicians had to spend too much time searching for data, they would either continue without it or order a test again. <h3>CONCLUSIONS</h3> Using a patient-specific diabetes dashboard improves both the efficiency and accuracy of acquiring data needed for high-quality diabetes care. Usability analysis tools can provide important insights into the value of optimizing physician use of health information technologies.