Abstract
To investigate whether the use of the think-aloud method with propositional analysis could be helpful in the design of a Clinical Decision Support System (CDSS) providing guideline recommendations about long-term follow-up of childhood cancer survivors. The think-aloud method was used to gain insight into healthcare professionals' information processing while reviewing a paper-based guideline. A total of 13 healthcare professionals (6 physicians and 7 physician assistants) prepared 2 fictitious patient consults using the paper-based guideline. Propositional analysis was used to analyze verbal protocols of the think-aloud sessions. A prototype CDSS was developed and a usability study was performed, again with the think-aloud method. The analysis revealed that the paper-based guideline did not support healthcare practitioners in finding patient-specific recommendations. An information processing model for retrieving recommendations was developed and used as input for the design of a CDSS prototype user interface. Usability analysis of the prototype CDSS showed that the navigational structure of the system fitted well with healthcare practitioners' daily practices. The think-aloud method combined with propositional analysis of healthcare practitioners' verbal utterances while they processed a paper-based guideline was useful in the design of a usable CDSS providing patient-specific guideline recommendations
Original language | English |
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Pages (from-to) | 10-19 |
Journal | International Journal of Medical Informatics |
Volume | 86 |
DOIs | |
Publication status | Published - 2016 |