%0 Journal Article
%T Usability Assessment of the Electronic Patient Management System for AIDS & TB Services in Zimbabwe
%A Takunda Mukumba
%A Yashik Singh
%J Open Access Library Journal
%V 1
%N 8
%P 1-12
%@ 2333-9721
%D 2014
%I Open Access Library
%R 10.4236/oalib.1101119
%X Introduction: Medical care is provided
by multidisciplinary teams. There is great need for high levels of coordination
among teams. Paper medical records pile up leading to logistical difficulties
owing to the passive nature of paper records. Sometimes finding a piece of
medical history can be difficult. Information and communication technology
solutions can solve such problems. The Zimbabwean AIDS & TB Unit under
the Ministry of Health installed an electronic Patient Management System in 83
health facilities to attempt to alleviate some of the disadvantages of the
paper system. It is important for the
Unit to carry out a usability assessment of the system, to determine if it is
appropriate and how usable it is. The more competently the users operate the
system, the better the service AIDS & TB patients receive from them. Aim: To perform a usability assessment of the new electronic Patient
Management System based on user experiences at the ministry of health¡¯s 83 high
volume facilities. Methods: A cross-sectional survey of the 83 facilities was done using a self-administered questionnaire as the
data collection tool. Multiple linear regression analysis was done to
investigate factors affecting usability of the system. Differences between dgemographic subgroups as well as socio-cultural
subgroups were investigated along with
differences between work experience backgrounds and how they affected
usability. Results: 48 (57%) of the 83 facilities responded. In a multiple
linear regression analysis only amount of time a facility had used the system
was found to have a linear relationship with the usability of the system (R<sup>2</sup> = 0.2623; 95% CI). There were no differences between demographic subgroups as
well socio-cultural subgroups. Chi<sup>2</sup> test between gender and usability
gave P = 0.3 along with respondent¡¯s post. Discussion: The training that came
with the installation of the system could have cancelled out some of demographic
and socio-cultural factors that would have influenced the usability of the
system since usability only varied with time. Acquiescence response bias and
social desirability bias may be contributing factors. Conclusion and
Recommendations: The perception of system usability and competency in use will
improve with time. An assessment that captures all the facilities may give better
insights into the issue of usability.
%K Electronic Patient Management System (ePMS)
%K Usability
%K Heuristics
%U http://www.oalib.com/paper/3129838