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. 2023 Mar 16;30(4):726-737.
doi: 10.1093/jamia/ocac236.

Scoping review of health information technology usability methods leveraged in Africa

Kylie Dougherty  1 , Mollie Hobensack  1 , Suzanne Bakken  1
Affiliations

Scoping review of health information technology usability methods leveraged in Africa

Kylie Dougherty et al. J Am Med Inform Assoc. .

Abstract

Objective: The aim of this study was to explore the state of health information technology (HIT) usability evaluation in Africa.

Materials and methods: We searched three electronic databases: PubMed, Embase, and Association for Computing Machinery. We categorized the stage of evaluations, the type of interactions assessed, and methods applied using Stead's System Development Life Cycle (SDLC) and Bennett and Shackel's usability models.

Results: Analysis of 73 of 1002 articles that met inclusion criteria reveals that HIT usability evaluations in Africa have increased in recent years and mainly focused on later SDLC stage (stages 4 and 5) evaluations in sub-Saharan Africa. Forty percent of the articles examined system-user-task-environment (type 4) interactions. Most articles used mixed methods to measure usability. Interviews and surveys were often used at each development stage, while other methods, such as quality-adjusted life year analysis, were only found at stage 5. Sixty percent of articles did not include a theoretical model or framework.

Discussion: The use of multistage evaluation and mixed methods approaches to obtain a comprehensive understanding HIT usability is critical to ensure that HIT meets user needs.

Conclusions: Developing and enhancing usable HIT is critical to promoting equitable health service delivery and high-quality care in Africa. Early-stage evaluations (stages 1 and 2) and interactions (types 0 and 1) should receive special attention to ensure HIT usability prior to implementing HIT in the field.

Keywords: Africa; evaluations; health information technology; scoping review; usability.

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Figures

Figure 1.
Figure 1.
PRISMA flow diagram.
Figure 2.
Figure 2.
Usability interaction diagram.
Figure 3.
Figure 3.
Map of countries in Africa that have studies included in this review.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

References

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