Positive aspects affecting user usability:
The usability of the healthcare information system (TrackCare) in the Sultan bin Abdulaziz Humanitarian City, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, has been assessed for its effectiveness and efficiency. Khajouei, Reza & Farahani, Tabarteh Farahani (2020). They found that the system’s purposes were well-recognized, and they credited the system for capturing patient information and facilitating communication among healthcare professionals. The findings reinforce the positive impact of the EHR systems aimed at better care delivery and information sharing among health team members. The advantages of TrackCare, the healthcare information system used in Sultan bin Abdulaziz Humanitarian City in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, include the data collection and communication of healthcare providers, where this can be achieved in the research on the electronic health records (EHR) systems usage for patients and healthcare providers’ information sharing. The same fact is supported by a study that showed that using EHR systems may result in safer treatment, and new safety risks occur as well (Middleton et al., 2013).
Another study shows the effectiveness of good documentation in EHR systems. In addition, the study that noted TrackCare documentation process performance at Sultan Bin Abdulaziz Humanitarian City Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, was similar ((Abiy et al., 2023; Razieh Farrahi et al., 2019). Additionally, the (Rizvi et al. (2017) study offered some EHR interface usability-related traits to consider for making the next system, which will be based on the User-Centered Design (UCD) approach. It emphasized rather significant differences between the current implementation of EHRs and their potential future applications, as well as differences perceived by different user groups with different levels of information technology skills concerning the computed outcomes. These studies coincide with the works that focus on the positive effects of EHR systems on overall patient care and information sharing.
Negative aspects affecting user usability:
Amongst the possible downsides of the healthcare information system (TrackCare) deployed in the Sultan bin Abdulaziz Humanitarian City in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, are the long hours required for reviewing test results and the absence of a search function, thus making it hard for users to find a piece of information or document fast. These concerns have been addressed in the previous studies, and one of the key points is that search functionality should be improved, and users should be able to access the information within the database with fewer clicks. For instance, research indicated that the number of usability issues encountered in the HIS system user interface considerably impacted the effectiveness, efficiency, and user satisfaction across Sultan bin Abdulaziz Humanitarian City-Riyadh.
The studies of Minshall S (2015) and Farzandipour et al. (2022) also determined that the usability and safety of health information systems are related to the design of health IT systems, especially user interfaces, leading to increased errors. This aligns with the negative TrackCare evaluations since some participants indicated a possible dissatisfaction and found the process uncomfortable. For instance, reviewing the test findings entailed multiple clicks, lots of data entry, duplicating the information that could have added up, and wasted time looking for data dispersed in the system. Pascals Carayon and Hoonakker (2019) and Healthcare-usability (2018) mentioned that storing the test results is time-consuming and that looking through needs a search function, thus reducing the ability for users to search for specific documents or information. (For instance, Pascale & Hoonakker (in HealthcareUsability 2019; Healthcareusability 2018.) These problems have already been discussed in previous research, and they highlighted the necessity of enhancing the search function and reducing the number of taps that are required to reach the information which is on EHRs.
3- User recommendations for enhancing the Trakcare system’s usability and functionality:
Users have suggested some changes to make the Trakcare system more user-friendly and efficient, which could be achieved by integrating the recommended practices in the research. The following suggestions aim to improve patient care, efficiency, and workflows within healthcare systems. The application should be made more convenient by adding more ready-made templates, voice input of records, and reminders for events and tasks. These findings are consistent with studies that indicate that documentation in electronic health records (EHR) is crucial ((Middleton et al., 2013; Tutty et al., 2019)). Off-the-shelf templates save time and increase the quality of the paperwork, and recording the voice and the text allows a specialist to cover the patient visit. Sending reminders for appointments and document tasks is very useful because a person can be sure that nothing is skipped, which significantly influences the effectiveness of the care given. Users have suggested adding a search button to make the system more intuitive in finding the necessary documents or information. This translates to what studies show, which point out that searching in EHR systems is essential because it can save time and enhance user experience.
The users also proposed introducing direct communication platforms among clinicians already part of the system as an additional feature. The article “Clinician Communication” by the Office for Health Information Technology headquarters demonstrates the role of EHRs in promoting effective communication between clinicians (SAFER, 2014). According to the research, communication is suggested while delivering healthcare since it facilitates care coordination and improves patient outcomes. Direct communication channels can make the job of healthcare providers easier by bringing them together and enabling the free exchange of ideas, eventually leading to higher efficiency and improved patient care. Furthermore, Majed Alshamari (2016) conducted a study on the usability of EHR systems in acute care settings and established that healthcare organization and physician grade are indeed related to the usability of EHR systems (Majed Alshamari, 2016; Østervang et al., 2024). It also stated the necessity of overcoming usability issues in EHRs and improving the system’s usability and patient care. EHR systems warn caregivers about various safety concerns, including medication interactions and allergies. Such alerts are intended to prevent the occurrence of adverse side effects. Such interoperability can be achieved through clinical decision support systems, standardized languages, and the implementation of alerts for detected safety problems.
These suggestions are based on a study of best practices for EHR systems. Additionally, according to a research study, EHR systems can be instrumental in improving clinical outcomes and decreasing healthcare expenses through improved communication and coordination among healthcare providers. Another study underlined aspects of user-centered design that may directly impact the usability and efficiency of the software.
References
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