An Analytical Approach for Predicting and Identifying Use Error and Usability Problem

In health care, the use of technical equipment plays a central part. To achieve high patient safety and efficient use, it is important to avoid use errors and usability problems when handling the medical equipment. This can be achieved by performing different types of usability evaluations on prototypes during the product development process of medical equipment. This paper describes an analytical approach for predicting and identifying use error and usability problems. The approach consists of four phases; (1) Definition of Evaluation, (2) System Description, (3) Interaction Analysis, and (4) Result Compilation and Reflection. The approach is based on the methods Hierarchical Task Analysis (HTA), Enhanced Cognitive Walkthrough (ECW) and Predictive Use Error Analysis (PUEA).

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