Natural-Setting PHR Usability Evaluation using the NASA TLX to Measure Cognitive Load of Patients

Keywords

PHR, NASA, Cognitive load, patients, Task Load Index

Abstract

While personal health records (PHRs) carry an array of potential benefits such as increased patient engagement, poor usability remains a significant barrier to patients’ adoption of PHRs. In this mixed methods study, we evaluate the usability of one PHR feature, an intake form called the pre-visit summary, from the perspective of cognitive load using real cardiovascular patients in a natural setting. A validated measure for cognitive load, the NASA Task Load Index, was used along with retrospective interviews to identify tasks within the pre-visit summary that increased participants’ cognitive load. We found that the medications, immunizations, active health concerns, and family history pages induced a higher cognitive load because participants struggled to recall personal health information and also due to user interface design issues. This research is significant in that it uses validated measures of cognitive load to study real patients interacting with their PHR in a natural environment.

Original Publication Citation

Pachunka, E., Windle, J., Schuetzler, R., & Fruhling, A. (2019). Natural-Setting PHR Usability Evaluation using the NASA TLX to Measure Cognitive Load of Patients. Hawaii International Conference on System Sciences. Grand Wailea, Maui, HI, January 8–11.

Document Type

Conference Paper

Publication Date

2019

Permanent URL

http://hdl.lib.byu.edu/1877/8399

Publisher

Hawaii International Conference on System Sciences

Language

English

College

Marriott School of Business

Department

Information Systems

University Standing at Time of Publication

Assistant Professor

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