TY - JOUR
T1 - The Love/Hate Relationship of Tablets in Electronic Medical Records: A Usability Study of a Native EMR Application for Mobile Devices
AU - Kennedy, Brandan P.
AU - Chaparro, Barbara
AU - Fitzmaurice, Laura
AU - Chan, Y. Raymond
AU - Fouquet, Sarah D.
N1 - Mobile devices have tremendous potential in healthcare. They provide interfaces to electronic medical records (EMRs) that are untethered. Tablets are used in home doctor visits and consultations. In Australia, providers have used tablets to access digital information in rural health clinics (Ribot, 2010). In Japan, doctors use tablets during consultations (The Yomiuri Shimbun, 2010).
PY - 2018/1
Y1 - 2018/1
N2 - Mobile devices have tremendous potential in healthcare. They provide interfaces to electronic medical records (EMRs) that are untethered. Tablets are used in home doctor visits and consultations. In Australia, providers have used tablets to access digital information in rural health clinics (Ribot, 2010). In Japan, doctors use tablets during consultations (The Yomiuri Shimbun, 2010). Providers also benefit from medical apps for tablets (Ribot, 2010; Volkmann, 2010). A study of internal medicine residents perceived improved workflow using iPads for EMR access (Patel, et al. 2012). However, more inpatient setting data is needed. Our providers were given iPads for work. While no specific regimen of usage was prescribed, one use was for EMR access. This research aims to collect objective data on tablet use for EMR interaction. Goals: 1. Examine patient care workflows using powerchart touch, a native tablet application for EMR access. 2. Evaluate strengths and weaknesses associated with using powerchart touch. METHODS: -Data collected about PowerChart Touch use in-situ. -Quantitative/qualitative data obtained through usability testing. Participants performed simulated EMR tasks on tablets. Providers were recruited who have minimum 3 months using the EMR and 1 month using powerchart touch. The study participants completed Simulated EMR-related tasks: 1. Find patient information 2. Order labs 3. Find results 4. Cancel orders 5. Write a note 6. Find handoff information 7. Examine patient data 8. Review allergies 9. Navigate information sources 10. Review orders 11. Add documents 12. Find immunizations 13. Examine patient history Video recordings and video screen capture (i.e., Morae recorder software) were obtained Demographics: Gender, age, profession, time spent/day using tablet, time spent using tablet to view EMR. Qualitative/Quantitative data: Success on task performance, time on task, user satisfaction, mental workload, task difficulty, and task confidence RESULTS: Preliminary data suggests faster documentation times and less time providers are in the EMR. It is expected that there will be distinct user advantages to native touch application design.. However, flaws in the native application design may be revealed. CONCLUSION We believe that understanding how mobile technology is currently used will improve understanding of its potential impact on a health care delivery system. Understanding the unique advantages and limitations of using tablet computers to interact with EMRs may prevent unintended consequences that could adversely impact costs, patient safety, and quality of care. Moreover understanding how providers use EMRs on tablets will help development and design of future EMR user-interfaces. Improvement of EMR user interfaces may have many indirect benefits; improved provider workflow and efficiency, improved safety and quality of care for patients, and decreased health care costs.
AB - Mobile devices have tremendous potential in healthcare. They provide interfaces to electronic medical records (EMRs) that are untethered. Tablets are used in home doctor visits and consultations. In Australia, providers have used tablets to access digital information in rural health clinics (Ribot, 2010). In Japan, doctors use tablets during consultations (The Yomiuri Shimbun, 2010). Providers also benefit from medical apps for tablets (Ribot, 2010; Volkmann, 2010). A study of internal medicine residents perceived improved workflow using iPads for EMR access (Patel, et al. 2012). However, more inpatient setting data is needed. Our providers were given iPads for work. While no specific regimen of usage was prescribed, one use was for EMR access. This research aims to collect objective data on tablet use for EMR interaction. Goals: 1. Examine patient care workflows using powerchart touch, a native tablet application for EMR access. 2. Evaluate strengths and weaknesses associated with using powerchart touch. METHODS: -Data collected about PowerChart Touch use in-situ. -Quantitative/qualitative data obtained through usability testing. Participants performed simulated EMR tasks on tablets. Providers were recruited who have minimum 3 months using the EMR and 1 month using powerchart touch. The study participants completed Simulated EMR-related tasks: 1. Find patient information 2. Order labs 3. Find results 4. Cancel orders 5. Write a note 6. Find handoff information 7. Examine patient data 8. Review allergies 9. Navigate information sources 10. Review orders 11. Add documents 12. Find immunizations 13. Examine patient history Video recordings and video screen capture (i.e., Morae recorder software) were obtained Demographics: Gender, age, profession, time spent/day using tablet, time spent using tablet to view EMR. Qualitative/Quantitative data: Success on task performance, time on task, user satisfaction, mental workload, task difficulty, and task confidence RESULTS: Preliminary data suggests faster documentation times and less time providers are in the EMR. It is expected that there will be distinct user advantages to native touch application design.. However, flaws in the native application design may be revealed. CONCLUSION We believe that understanding how mobile technology is currently used will improve understanding of its potential impact on a health care delivery system. Understanding the unique advantages and limitations of using tablet computers to interact with EMRs may prevent unintended consequences that could adversely impact costs, patient safety, and quality of care. Moreover understanding how providers use EMRs on tablets will help development and design of future EMR user-interfaces. Improvement of EMR user interfaces may have many indirect benefits; improved provider workflow and efficiency, improved safety and quality of care for patients, and decreased health care costs.
KW - electronic medical records
KW - mobile devices
KW - tablets
KW - usability
UR - https://pediatrics.aappublications.org/content/141/1_MeetingAbstract/8
M3 - Article
SN - 1098-4275
VL - 141
JO - Pediatrics
JF - Pediatrics
ER -