Human-Technology Interface Evaluation for U.S. Latino Workers

As information technology innovations revolutionize our health systems, the ease with which humans can use them is key to their success. Therefore, it is critical for developers of health information technology applications to evaluate the hardware and software interfaces such as visual displays and input devices during the design phase.  This presentation will describe axioms for designing effective human-technology interfaces using examples from field tests of a computer-based e-learning intervention to promote hearing protection use among Latino construction workers. We followed user-centered design principles in an iterative process during intervention development. We used formal and informal methods for evaluating and improving the usability of the human-technology interface, from focus groups early in the design process to more formal usability field tests prior to completion of the prototype e-learning intervention. Our efforts led to an effective interface– in the subsequent intervention trial workers were able to complete the e-learning intervention independently. Through careful attention to the human-technology interface, health informatics professionals can assure that consumers and health care providers will be able to readily access and use new health information technologies to meet their goals.