For the last decade, mobile phones have been the fastest growing segment of the technology market increasing the importance of interface design for this type of device. Yet, many of the assumptions about user interactions that the authors know from “traditional” computer usage do not hold true for mobile devices and more specifically for touch-screen phones. A key question is, if usability heuristics tailored to this type of device exist. To answer this question, they conducted a systematic literature review. The authors analyzed the encountered sets of heuristics by mapping them to Nielsen’s ten heuristics and identified additional ones specifically proposed for this kind of device. Their review indicates that research findings with respect to usability heuristics for mobile phones are still extreme sparse. Most of these heuristics are strongly based on “traditional” ones, not considering comprehensively mobile phone characteristics concerning physical limitations, technology, usage goals, features as well as user characteristics and usage environment. Nevertheless, this article provides a general overview on the state of the art of usability heuristics for mobile phones. This can guide the design and evaluation interfaces for mobile phones as well as provide a starting point for the evolution of such heuristics taking into consideration more extensively the specific features of mobile phones.

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One of the main reasons that leads to a low adoption rate of telemedicine systems is poor usability. An aspect that influences usability during the reporting of findings is the input mode, e.g., if a free-text (FT) or a structured report (SR) interface is employed. The objective of our study is to compare the usability of FT and ST telemedicine systems, specifically in terms of user satisfaction, efficiency and general usability. We comparatively evaluate the usability of these two input modes in a telecardiology system for issuing electrocardiography reports in the context of a statewide telemedicine system in Brazil with more than 350.000 performed tele-electrocardiography examinations. We adopted a multiple method research strategy, applying three different kinds of usability evaluations: user satisfaction was evaluated through interviews with seven medical professionals using the System Usability Scale (SUS) questionnaire and specific questions related to adequacy and user experience. Efficiency was evaluated by estimating execution time using the Keystroke-Level Model (KLM). General usability was assessed based on the conformity of the systems to a set of e-health specific usability heuristics. The results of this comparison provide a first indication that a structured report (SR) input mode for such a system is more satisfactory and efficient with a larger conformity to usability heuristics than free-text (FT) input. User satisfaction using the SUS questionnaire has been scored in average with 58.8 and 77.5 points for the FT and SR system, respectively, which means that the SR system was rated 18.65 points higher than the FT system. In terms of efficiency, the completion of a findings report using the SR mode is estimated to take 8.5s, 3.74 times faster than using the FT system (31.8s). The SR system also demonstrated less violations to usability heuristics (8 points) in comparison to 14 points observed in the FT system. These results provide a first indication that the usage of structured reporting as an input mode in telecardiology systems may enhance usability. This also seems to confirm the advantages of the usage of structured reporting, as already described in the literature for other areas such as teleradiology.

Mobile phones are becoming the most widespread personal consumer device. Yet, offering mobile access anywhere, anytime for anybody poses new challenges to usability. So far there is little research on how to customize usability heuristics to the specific characteristics of mobile phone applications. Therefore, this article presents a set of tailored usability heuristics based on a systematic literature review. In order to facilitate the usage of these heuristics, the authors design and validate a measurement instrument (checklist) and scale. The checklist has been validated through an empirical study in which the results of 247 heuristic evaluations have been statistically analyzed using Item Response Theory. Based on the results, the measurement items have been calibrated and a standardized measurement scale has been constructed. The results can be used to measure usability of mobile phone applications from early on in the design process, and, thus, facilitate evaluations in a cost-effective way.

Resumo A existência de barreiras nos serviços de demanda agendada resulta no elevado índice de absenteísmo. O objetivo deste manuscrito é apresentar as principais características do Sistema de Agendamento Online da estratégia e-SUS APS no Brasil. O Sistema de Agendamento Online desenvolvido pelo Laboratório Bridge da Universidade Federal de Santa Catarina, o qual também desenvolve o sistema de Prontuário Eletrônico do Cidadão (PEC e-SUS APS), e permite o agendamento de consultas através do aplicativo Conecte SUS Cidadão. O PEC e-SUS APS possui, entre outros, o módulo de agenda do profissional onde são realizadas as marcações e cancelamentos de consultas, permitindo a visualização de seus horários e disponibilidades. Embora o uso de sistemas de agendamento online seja capaz de fornecer benefícios, infelizmente eles têm sido pouco explorados na APS. Os principais motivos estão relacionados com a falta de informação e capacitação dos profissionais sobre o sistema e os impactos nos serviços prestados pelos estabelecimentos de saúde da APS. A fim de garantir a maior adoção e utilização do Sistema de Agendamento Online, é necessário ampliar a divulgação do sistema de modo a instituí-lo na rotina dos serviços como um instrumento facilitador do acesso à APS.