Determining User Preferences between Touch and Pen Data Entry ...

Determining User Preferences between Touch and Pen Data Entry Methods in the Tablet PC Computing Environment Garry M. Silvey1 ; Susanne B. Haga, Ph.D.2 ; Julianne M. O'Daniel, MS2 ; Patricia Deverka, MD, MBE2 ; Dania M. Ermentrout, MPH, MSW1 ; Kevin J. Anstro m, PhD 3 ; and David F. Lobach, MD, PhD, MS1 1

Department of Community and Family Medicine, 2 Institute for Genome Sciences & Policy, and 3 Department of Biostatistics and Bioinformatics, Duke University, Durham, NC Abstract. Tablet personal computers (PCs) are assessment instruments using a 5-point Likert scale.2 becoming common in the clinical environment. In a The survey included six questions covering overall recent survey comparing mobile devices, the Tablet reaction, one question on ease of use of selection PC was perceived to have made the most significant buttons, and one question on screen navigation. difference in the delivery of healthcare.1 As the use of We combined participant responses into means and Tablet PC technology increases , understanding which standard deviations for each question. Statistical features are most usable for data entry becomes significance was assessed using a two-sided, paired timportant. The modality used for data entry on the test at the 0.05 level of significance.3 Tablet PC has evolved. Initially, most Tablet PCs Results. Ten patients participated in two focus required the use of a stylus or specialized pen for user groups. For most questions, the participants’ overall interaction with the system. Recently, touch screen reactions were statistically significantly in favor of technology has become available on Tablet PCs. the pen-based Tablet PC as shown in Table 1. Tablet PCs with touch screens allow the user to Conclusion. Through this formative study, we interact with the system using their finger instead of a discovered that there was a statistically significant pen. Little information is available concerning user preference among participants for the pen-based preferences regarding the modality used for data Tablet PC over the touch-based Tablet PC. This entry on the Tablet PC. preference stood out in the areas of overall ease of In this project we assessed the usability of the two use, speed, and selection of items on the screen. data entry modalities by directly comparing a penAs Tablet PCs become more prevalent in clinical based and a touch-based Tablet PC through focus environments, it is important to carefully compare groups. This project was part of a Duke IRB each of the features that different Tablet PCs offer approved study designed to assess patient attitudes before choosing a device. Our limited study shows towards the clinical use of pharamcogenetic data. that pen-based Tablet PCs were strongly preferred by Methods . Focus group participants were randomly patients over touch-based Tablet PCs . recruited from an academic family medicine clinic at Acknowledgement. This study was funded by the Duke University while waiting for appointments. Duke Institute for Genome Sciences & Policy and the Patients were eligible for inclusion if they were Duke Depart ment of Community and Family established patients at the clinic and they were 18 Medicine. years of age or older. in the focus groups, each References participant was asked to complete an “Attitudes 1. Medical Records Institute’s Eighth Annual Survey of Toward Pharmacogenetics” questionnaire using Electronic Health Record Trends and Usage for 2006 Tablet PCs . Participants completed the questionnaire 2. Chin JP, Diehl VA, Norman KL. Development of an twice, once using a touch-based Tablet PC and once instrument measuring user satisfaction of the humanusing a pen-based Tablet PC. After completing the computer interface. Proceedings of CHI’88, Human pharmacogenetics questionnaire, the participants Factors in Computing Systems. New York: ACM 1988 completed a usability survey for each type of Tablet 3. Rosner B. Fundamentals of Biostatistics. Boston: PWSKent Publishing Company. 1990. PC. The usability survey was based on validated Table 1. Mean Usability Responses Comparing Pen-based and Touch-based Tablet PCs. (* Indicates statistical significance) Construct Scale Pen Mean Touch Mean p-Value Overall Reaction to Tablet PC Terrible - Wonderful 4.71 3.71 0.0040* Difficult - Easy 4.82 3.86 0.0010* Frustrating - Satisfying 4.59 4.00 0.1020 Dull - Stimulating 4.24 3.57 0.0905 Slow - Fast 4.41 3.43 0.0601 Rigid - Flexible 4.35 3.67 0.0685 Screen: Buttons on Tablet are Hard – Easy to Use 4.69 3.43 0.0056* Navigation: Tasks can be performed in a straightforward Never - Always 4.50 4.14 0.3138 manner

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