article · Journal of Hospital Librarianship
An evaluation of a hospital information system interface was carried out for a fistula programme operating in a Tanzanian hospital. Using established heuristic criteria, the assessment examined how the system supports healthcare workers and uncovered critical usability challenges that impact their overall experience. Particular shortcomings emerged in relation to user privacy, system flexibility, and documentation. Although staff generally view the digital system as user-friendly, the identified problems present notable barriers to its effective and seamless operation. The findings highlight the essential role of end-user participation during the design and development phases of health systems. Engaging users directly helps resolve specific interface concerns and supports the ultimate objective of enhancing system efficiency and patient care delivery.
Digital healthcare tools must be easy and reliable to operate to prevent errors and administrative burdens. Identifying specific design weaknesses in active clinical software ensures that systems protect patient privacy and assist staff properly. Addressing usability hurdles ultimately helps medical teams deliver more effective and uninterrupted patient care.
This research provides applied usability findings from an active clinical software deployment, relevant to healthcare software developers and hospital IT administrators. The identified design gaps in privacy, flexibility, and documentation offer direct guidance for refining healthcare user interfaces to improve end-user adoption and operational efficiency in hospital programmes.
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This study conducts a heuristic evaluation of the usability of the Hospital Information System (HIS) interface for the Fistula Programme in a Tanzanian hospital. Utilizing Nielsen’s 13 heuristics, the evaluation identifies critical usability issues affecting user experience, particularly in areas like privacy, flexibility, and documentation. Findings indicate that while health workers generally perceive the system as user-friendly, significant challenges remain that could hinder effective use. The research underscores the importance of involving users in the development process to enhance interface usability and address identified concerns, ultimately aiming to improve the system’s efficiency and effectiveness in supporting patient care.
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DOI: 10.1080/15323269.2025.2569308
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