Qualitative Assessment

The analysis of the qualitative assessment results identifies several usability problems that need to be considered in more detail. One of these problems has to do with the cognitive load. According to Zahavi [6] information overload appears when the ability to perceive and understand is exceeded by the amount of informatin presented by a user interface, to the point of facilitating information processing errors. Further work related with this topic should be done, namely to achieve a better organization of the information and an improved version of the graphical design, too flat with poor color contrast. In addition to problems with the cognitive load, the analysis indicates potential problems in the effective presentation of the information.

The second was the quality of interface (IntQual) and lastly the score of the information quality (InfoQual). The values of InfoQual subscale (ie 4.47 for physicians and 4.84 for nurses) seem to suggest that the usability problems of SClinico are reflected in the perception that clinicians have of information quality that SClinico provides. This must be deeply studied since the quality of the health care delivery relies on the quality of

This aspect, together with criticisms pointed to the color scheme, the flat typology of the interface design, and the way information is presented refer to the need for a new approach to the graphic design.
The results of the application of the PSSUQ, which was applied 18 months after the introduction of SClinico (i.e. at a time when clinicians were already accustomed to its use) point clearly to usability problems: a general score of 4,10 (SD = 1,35) for physicians and of 4,83 (SD = 1,21) for nurses clearly indicates low degree of usability and satisfaction.
Given the widespread use of SClinico in Portuguese SNS, the less positive points pointed out by clinicians should be considered. In fact, considering the tens of thousands of clinicians who use SClinico daily to support their clinical practices, a small improvement in the usability of this health care application might be translated, overall, into considerable efficiency gains. Therefore, based on the study reported in this article, the authors prepared a second observational study based on additional instruments and that will be extended to other health care units. The administration board and ethical commite of CHTMAD had already approved this