JMIR Publications

ABSTRACT

Background:

Several tools have been developed for healthcare professionals to monitor the physical activity of their patients, but most of the tools have been developed considering the needs of North American and European countries. No research study we are aware of has utilized participatory design in the middle-east region to develop such tools, involving all the stakeholders in the product development phases.

Objective:

We develop an interactive visualization tool called ActiVis, to support local health professionals in monitoring the physical activity of their patients with the aim of improving the health of Qatar population.

Methods:

We use participatory design and user-centered design methodologies to develop ActiVis - including persona development, brainwriting, and heuristic walkthrough as part of user evaluation workshops; and use cases, heuristic walkthrough, interface walkthrough, and survey as part of expert evaluation sessions.

Results:

We collaboratively identified and validated personas and use cases that led to improving the design of the ActiVis tool to support local health professionals monitoring patients’ physical activity. Although the number of usability problems identified and their severity ratings for the ActiVis tool and Fitbit were the same, the new version compares favorably to the Fitbit interface in terms of none or least number of usability problems identified for the heuristic. We also better understand the needs of healthcare professionals, while the health professionals have an understanding of the process of design tools, so they will be more encouraged to engage further in this user-centered and collaborative design approach.

Conclusions:

Beyond the development of the ActiVis tool, this study can serve other visualization and HCI designers in the region to prepare their design project and encourage healthcare professionals to engage with designers and engineers to improve the tools they use for supporting their daily routine. The development of the ActiVis tool is still ongoing and shall be integrated into an operational platform for healthcare professionals in Qatar.