A novel methodology for evaluating user interfaces in health care

A pilot study is reported to identify an improved method of evaluating digital user interfaces in health care. Experience and developments from the aviation industry and the NASA-TLX mental workload assessment tools are applied in conjunction with Nielsen heuristics for evaluating an Electronic Health Record System in an Irish hospital. The NASA-TLX performs subjective workload assessments on operators working with various human-computer systems. Results suggest that depending on the cognitive workload and the working context of users, the usability will differ for the same digital interface. We conclude that incorporating the NASA-TLX with Nielsen\u27s heuristics offers a more reliable method in design and evaluation of digital user interfaces in clinical environments, since the healthcare work context is taken into account. Improved interfaces can be expected to reduce medical errors and improve patient care

Argumentation Theory in Health Care

Argumentation theory (AT) has been gaining momentum in the health care arena thanks to its intuitive and modular way of aggregating clinical evidence and taking rational decisions. The basic principles of argumentation theory are described and demonstrated in the breast cancer recurrence problem. It is shown how to represent available clinical evidence in arguments, how to define defeat relations among them and how to create a formal argumentation framework. Argumentation semantics are then applied over the built framework to compute arguments justification status. It is demonstrated how this process can enhance the clinician decision-making process. A encouraging predictive capacity is compared against the accuracy rate of well established machine learning techniques confirming the potential of argumentation theory in health care

Citizen-Patient Involvement in the Development of mHealth Technology:Protocol for a Systematic Scoping Review

publishedVersio

Evaluation of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons using analytical methods, toxicology, and risk assessment research: seafood safety after a petroleum spill as an example.

BackgroundPolycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) are abundant and widespread environmental chemicals. They are produced naturally and through man-made processes, and they are common in organic media, including petroleum. Several PAHs are toxic, and a subset exhibit carcinogenic activity. PAHs represent a range of chemical structures based on two or more benzene rings and, depending on their source, can exhibit a variety of side modifications resulting from oxygenation, nitrogenation, and alkylation.ObjectivesHere we discuss the increasing ability of contemporary analytical methods to distinguish not only different chemical structures among PAHs but also their concentrations in environmental media. Using seafood contamination following the Deepwater Horizon accident as an example, we identify issues that are emerging in the PAH risk assessment process because of increasing analytical sensitivity for individual PAHs, and we describe the paucity of toxicological literature for many of these compounds.DiscussionPAHs, including the large variety of chemically modified or substituted PAHs, are naturally occurring and may constitute health risks if human populations are exposed to hazardous levels. However, toxicity evaluations have not kept pace with modern analytic methods and their increased ability to detect substituted PAHs. Therefore, although it is possible to measure these compounds in seafood and other media, we do not have sufficient information on the potential toxicity of these compounds to incorporate them into human health risk assessments and characterizations.ConclusionsFuture research efforts should strategically attempt to fill this toxicological knowledge gap so human health risk assessments of PAHs in environmental media or food can be better determined. This is especially important in the aftermath of petroleum spills

Working memory capacity and the antisaccade task: A microanalytic–macroanalytic investigation of individual differences in goal activation and maintenance

The association between working memory capacity (WMC) and the antisaccade task, which requires subjects to move their eyes and attention away from a strong visual cue, supports the claim that WMC is partially an attentional construct (Kane, Bleckley, Conway, & Engle, 2001; Unsworth, Schrock, & Engle, 2004). Specifically, the WMC-antisaccade relation suggests that WMC helps maintain and execute task goals despite interference from habitual actions. Related work has recently shown that mind wandering (McVay & Kane, 2009, 2012a, 2012b) and reaction time (RT) variability (Unsworth, 2015) are also related to WMC and they partially explain WMC’s prediction of cognitive abilities. Here, we tested whether mind-wandering propensity and intraindividual RT variation account for WMC’s associations with 2 antisaccade-cued choice RT tasks. In addition, we asked whether any influences of WMC, mind wandering, or intraindividual RT variation on antisaccade are moderated by (a) the temporal gap between fixation and the flashing location cue, and (b) whether targets switch sides on consecutive trials. Our quasi-experimental study reexamined a published dataset (Kane et al., 2016) comprising 472 subjects who completed 6 WMC tasks, 5 attentional tasks with mind-wandering probes, 5 tasks from which we measured intraindividual RT variation, and 2 antisaccade tasks with varying fixation-cue gap durations. The WMC-antisaccade association was not accounted for by mind wandering or intraindividual RT variation. WMC’s effects on antisaccade performance were greater with longer fixation-to-cue intervals, suggesting that goal activation processes—beyond the ability to control mind wandering and RT variability—are partially responsible for the WMC-antisaccade relation

Multidisciplinary team meetings and their impact on workflow in radiology and pathology departments

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>The development of multidisciplinary team meetings (MDTMs) for radiology and pathology is a burgeoning area that increasingly impacts on work processes in both of these departments. The aim of this study was to examine work processes and quantify the time demands on radiologists and pathologists associated with MDTM practices at a large teaching hospital. The observations reported in this paper reflect a general trend affecting hospitals and our conclusions will have relevance for others implementing clinical practice guidelines.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>For one month, all work related to clinical meetings between pathology and radiology with clinical staff was documented and later analysed.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>The number of meetings to which pathology and radiology contribute at a large university teaching hospital, ranges from two to eight per day, excluding grand rounds, and amounts to approximately 50 meetings per month for each department. For one month, over 300 h were spent by pathologists and radiologists on 81 meetings, where almost 1000 patients were discussed. For each meeting hour, there were, on average, 2.4 pathology hours and 2 radiology hours spent in preparation. Two to three meetings per week are conducted over a teleconferencing link. Average meeting time is 1 h. Preparation time per meeting ranges from 0.3 to 6 h for pathology, and 0.5 to 4 for radiology. The review process in preparation for meetings improves internal quality standards. Materials produced externally (for example imaging) can amount to almost 50% of the material to be reviewed on a single patient. The number of meetings per month has increased by 50% over the past two years. Further increase is expected in both the numbers and duration of meetings when scheduling issues are resolved. A changing trend in the management of referred patients with the development of MDTMs and the introduction of teleconferencing was noted.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>Difficulties are being experienced by pathology and radiology departments participating fully in several multidisciplinary teams. Time spent at meetings, and in preparation for MDTMs is significant. Issues of timing and the coordination of materials to be reviewed are sometimes irreconcilable. The exchange of patient materials with outside institutions is a cause for concern when full data are not made available in a timely fashion. The process of preparation for meetings is having a positive influence on quality, but more resources are needed in pathology and radiology to realise the full benefits of multidisciplinary team working.</p

The Grizzly, January 31, 1986

Nursing Homes: A Solution for the Elderly? Investigation 1 • Fetterolf Nears Completion • Smokers and Non-Smokers Must Meet Half Way • Horrible Hunger Continues • A Look at a Better Ursinus • Can a Dream Become a Reality? • The Limelight Shines on Lynne Edwards • Profile: John French Adds a Musical Twist • Pain Brings Gain for the Swimmin\u27 Women • Gymnasts Vaulting Into a New Season • Track Season Starts at the Gun • Basketball Hall of Fame Cites Women\u27s Team as Second in All-Time Victories • Wellness Bear Spotted! • Applications Being Taken for St. Andrew\u27s Scholarship • Women\u27s Studies Program Seeks Campus Wide Interest • Profile: Mr. Rue Keeps Records Straight • Ursinus Professor Publishes Books on Pennsylvania Dutch • Ursinus Professor\u27s Philosophy Text Publishedhttps://digitalcommons.ursinus.edu/grizzlynews/1155/thumbnail.jp

The Grizzly, February 6, 1987

Residential Village Saluted: Ursinus Recipient of County Planning Award • Art Critic Kuspit Condemns Ursinus\u27 Acquisitions • Biology Dept. Offers Field Study • Letters: Pro Abortion Bias Suggested; Art Critic Elitist; Hoopsters Accomplish Goals Despite Poor Press; Kane Commends McCullough • News Notes: Weaver to Play on Heefner Organ Again; Board Member Jeffers Dies at 79; Health Promotion Project; Lorelei, a U.C. Tradition • The Coddling of College Students • Connolly Finds Berry Piece Arrogant, Rash and True • Grappling Bears Stun Opponents in Streaking to 9-2 • Ursinus Roars Back to Thrash Hopkins • Men\u27s Track Impressive Early in Season • Mer Men Waiting for Loyola • Lady Hoopsters Capture First Home Win • Sophomore Wrestler Seislove on a Roll • A Baby and the Ball - Two Plays Called at Once • Japanese Program Offered Again • Fishing Club Factshttps://digitalcommons.ursinus.edu/grizzlynews/1180/thumbnail.jp

The Grizzly, January 31, 1986

Nursing Homes: A Solution for the Elderly? Investigation 1 • Fetterolf Nears Completion • Smokers and Non-Smokers Must Meet Half Way • Horrible Hunger Continues • A Look at a Better Ursinus • Can a Dream Become a Reality? • The Limelight Shines on Lynne Edwards • Profile: John French Adds a Musical Twist • Pain Brings Gain for the Swimmin\u27 Women • Gymnasts Vaulting Into a New Season • Track Season Starts at the Gun • Basketball Hall of Fame Cites Women\u27s Team as Second in All-Time Victories • Wellness Bear Spotted! • Applications Being Taken for St. Andrew\u27s Scholarship • Women\u27s Studies Program Seeks Campus Wide Interest • Profile: Mr. Rue Keeps Records Straight • Ursinus Professor Publishes Books on Pennsylvania Dutch • Ursinus Professor\u27s Philosophy Text Publishedhttps://digitalcommons.ursinus.edu/grizzlynews/1155/thumbnail.jp