Table 2.

Summary of Exemplar Patient-centered Technology Usability Studies

Authors	Application	Methods & Sample	Relevant Findings
Reichlin et al.10	Decision support aid: Web-based interactive game for men with prostate cancer to aid in treatment decision making.	Alpha version tested with direct observation, survey, and focus groups with (n=13) post-treatment men.	Application reported as acceptable and useful, usability problems identified with some navigation elements, desire for sourcing statistical information and personalization.
Fromme, et al11	Screening Application: Tablet computer application for administering a 30-item quality of life survey	Assessed user requirements from oncologists, built application and conducted individual usability tests (n=7) along with semi-structured interviews. Also administered ‘ease-of use’ surveys to participants (n=60).	High degree of usability found – lower in older patients but still quite high overall. Some modifications required faster color indication of response option selection. Difficulties with tablet and stylus.
Stoddard et al13	Information search and retrieval application: Web site for smoking cessation.	Original application designed with usability experts and based on NCI guidelines. Defined critical tasks and observed subjects (n=5) attempt tasks. Used ‘Talk aloud’ approach. Modifications were made and another round of testing took place (n=7). Also administered 10-item satisfaction test to subjects.	Less than half the tasks were completed successfully, however after revisions almost 90% of tasks with a new group were completed successfully. Initial designs were based on input from usability experts but, when tested with patients, many problems were found.