Introduction to Engaging Stakeholders through HCD
In the first part of our series on engaging stakeholders, we focused on the importance of involving stakeholders in the design process. This often requires a collaborative approach that focuses on figuring out patients’ needs, preferences, and limitations before using HCD to incorporate these elements into the solution. In this second part, we focus on involving stakeholders in the testing phase using HCD, which reinforces patients being at the core of the development process to achieve inclusivity. Furthermore, HCD promotes testing for all stakeholders, such as patients with disabilities, patients with temporary impairments, and even patients with health disparities. HCD also emphasizes the need for ADA experts to guarantee proper accessibility integration. Overall, HCD ensures unbiased feedback is incorporated into the final product.
Incorporating ADA Expertise in the Testing Phase
The first step to achieving comprehensive testing of a healthcare system is to consult with patients with disabilities during the testing phase. For instance, patients with disabilities often have different ways that they interact with technology and software. By including testers who understand these perspectives in the testing phase, developers can ensure that critical accessibility issues are addressed. Furthermore, including ADA experts provides valuable insights into meeting regulatory requirements. ADA experts also ensure that the design not only complies with legal regulations but also meets the diverse needs of the stakeholders. Therefore incorporating ADA expertise in the testing phase requires a collaborative effort that emphasizes the need for functionality in technology.
HCD Promotes an Iterative Approach to Testing
Another way that HCD engages stakeholders in the design process is through its iterative approach that actively involves users throughout every stage [1]. For instance, the iterative approach ensures that users’ needs and requirements are continuously met outside of testing. This often requires different perspectives that focus on stakeholders’ needs [1]. During this iterative approach, developers need to understand functional requirements, create solutions to achieve the functional requirements, and then evaluate the solutions with the desired functional requirements [1]. This provides accountability after the design process that focuses on decreasing limitations and barriers with each iteration [1]. Therefore, HCD must be incorporated into the testing process so that stakeholders are engaged in continuous and iterative testing.
The Need for Large Samples of Independent Testers
HCD highlights the need for involving a large and varied sample of testers to ensure that healthcare systems are meeting expectations. Oftentimes usability issues can be overlooked when a small group of testers are used. Therefore HCD emphasizes the need for a large and diverse group of testers so that a wider range of experiences, limitations, barriers, and needs are captured. Furthermore, involving independent testers is another way of providing new perspectives on issues that may have previously been overlooked. Additionally, even with a large group of testers, it’s important to recognize that testers often don’t precisely represent the typical user. For instance, typical users have day-to-day functionalities that may be missed by testers. Therefore, HCD should reinforce a broader testing approach that promotes iterative evaluations to ensure healthcare products are adaptable for all patients.
Importance of Integrating HCD in the Design Process
Overall, engaging stakeholders through HCD in the testing phase is essential to having inclusivity in healthcare. Additionally, collaborating with testers who are aware of disabilities as well as incorporating a large and diverse sample of individual testers ensures that functional requirements are being met and implemented effectively. Furthermore, developers must continue to remember that testers will never be the perfect representation of true users, however, broadening the sample size and increasing diversity can promote a comprehensive and inclusive approach. Through HCD, developers can ensure that healthcare technologies are accessible and user-friendly for all stakeholders. Lastly, incorporating HCD ensures that issues are not overlooked and that there is accountability in ensuring that functional requirements are met.
HITS
HITS provides healthcare management services & works with doctors to develop health informatics tools that promote safe and secure care. We take pride in our services and settle for nothing other than 100% quality solutions for our clients. Having the right team assist with data sharing is crucial to encouraging collaborative and secure care. HITS also focuses on transforming health care by analyzing integrated medical solutions and evaluating information systems. Our goal is to enhance individual and population health outcomes, improve patient care, and strengthen the clinician-patient relationship.
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