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Showing 23 results for Evaluation
Marjan Ghazi Saeedi, Mohammad Amin Abbasi Eslamloo, Kobra Darabiyan, Elham Ataei,
Volume 17, Issue 3 (8-2023)
Volume 17, Issue 3 (8-2023)
Abstract
Background and Aim: Despite the continuous progress in medicine, COPD (Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease) is still a progressive, incurable and chronic respiratory condition that limits the patients’ functions in various dimensions, and significantly reduce their quality of life. In this way, self-care of patients and the use of related tools have a significant effect in disease control and treatment. The purpose of this research was design and development of an android-based application for COPD.
Materials and Methods: This research was a descriptive developmental type with a practical approach. Initially, based on the study of library resources, guidelines, and the examination of the medical records of COPD inpatients in Firouzabadi Hospital, a questionnaire was designed to identify the information requirements, data items and features of the application. Then it was reviewed and finalized by a sample of 10 (randomized and convenience sampling) internal and lung specialist doctors in Firouzabadi and Hazrat Rasool hospitals affiliated to Iran University of Medical Sciences. The data was analyzed using descriptive statistics, and then scenario tables and UML diagrams were illustrated to show the overall flow of the application. The application was designed and developed using the Java programming language in the Android Studio 2021 platform. After installing the application on the mobile phones of ten COPD patients of the internal and pulmonary clinic of Firouzabadi Shahre Rey Hospital, and using it for a week, the opinions of the patients about the usability of the application were collected through the QUIS questionnaire, and analyzed.
Results: Application sections were determined following experts’ survey, personal information items, clinical information, disease management, reporting, and training points, which were provided to patients after design for use and evaluation. At the end of the research, the results of the evaluation of the usability and satisfaction level of the application showed that from the patients’ point of view, the application is at a good level with an average score of 1.8 (out of 10 points).
Conclusion: The developed self-care application can be used to increase awareness, help to manage the disease, increase the level of quality of life, and reduce the complications and disease burden for patients with COPD.
Materials and Methods: This research was a descriptive developmental type with a practical approach. Initially, based on the study of library resources, guidelines, and the examination of the medical records of COPD inpatients in Firouzabadi Hospital, a questionnaire was designed to identify the information requirements, data items and features of the application. Then it was reviewed and finalized by a sample of 10 (randomized and convenience sampling) internal and lung specialist doctors in Firouzabadi and Hazrat Rasool hospitals affiliated to Iran University of Medical Sciences. The data was analyzed using descriptive statistics, and then scenario tables and UML diagrams were illustrated to show the overall flow of the application. The application was designed and developed using the Java programming language in the Android Studio 2021 platform. After installing the application on the mobile phones of ten COPD patients of the internal and pulmonary clinic of Firouzabadi Shahre Rey Hospital, and using it for a week, the opinions of the patients about the usability of the application were collected through the QUIS questionnaire, and analyzed.
Results: Application sections were determined following experts’ survey, personal information items, clinical information, disease management, reporting, and training points, which were provided to patients after design for use and evaluation. At the end of the research, the results of the evaluation of the usability and satisfaction level of the application showed that from the patients’ point of view, the application is at a good level with an average score of 1.8 (out of 10 points).
Conclusion: The developed self-care application can be used to increase awareness, help to manage the disease, increase the level of quality of life, and reduce the complications and disease burden for patients with COPD.
Somayyeh Zakerabasali, Farnaz Salehian,
Volume 18, Issue 3 (7-2024)
Volume 18, Issue 3 (7-2024)
Abstract
Background and Aim: Today, information dashboards are the main tools for understanding and extracting knowledge from large data sets and can be used in various forms by healthcare providers. At the same time as the COVID-19 epidemic, several information dashboards were designed and developed. Still, due to the speed of the spread of this virus, there was no opportunity to evaluate them. Therefore, this research was conducted to evaluate the usability of the Covid-19 management dashboard.
Materials and Methods: This descriptive-cross-sectional study was conducted on the management dashboard of Shiraz University of Medical Sciences. The dashboard was evaluated using an exploratory evaluation method with the participation of three medical informatics experts. Each of the evaluators evaluated the system independently and identified its problems by using thirteen principle checklist. Then, with the presence of all evaluators, the list of identified problems was combined, repeated problems were removed from the list and a single list was prepared. In this joint meeting, any disagreements about the problems found by the evaluators were discussed and reached a common opinion. Finally, the evaluators determined and reported the severity of the problems.
Results: In this evaluation, a total of 79 usability problems were identified. The highest number of problems was related to the feature “Help and Documentation” (12 problems), and the lowest number of problems was related to the features “Aesthetic and Minimalist Design” (2 problems) and “Privacy” (1 problem). 45.58% of the identified problems were in the category of major problems. The average degree of severity of the problems was from 2.05 (minor problem) related to the feature of “Pleasurable and Respectful Interaction with the User” to 2.99 (major problem) related to the feature of “User Control and Freedom”. Also, the average severity of problems was calculated as 2.5, classified in the range of minor problems.
Conclusion: The heuristic evaluation method identifies user interface problems of information systems and dashboards using predetermined standards. If these problems are not resolved, they will cause users’ time wasted, errors to increase, information quality to decrease, and users’ dissatisfaction and confusion.
Materials and Methods: This descriptive-cross-sectional study was conducted on the management dashboard of Shiraz University of Medical Sciences. The dashboard was evaluated using an exploratory evaluation method with the participation of three medical informatics experts. Each of the evaluators evaluated the system independently and identified its problems by using thirteen principle checklist. Then, with the presence of all evaluators, the list of identified problems was combined, repeated problems were removed from the list and a single list was prepared. In this joint meeting, any disagreements about the problems found by the evaluators were discussed and reached a common opinion. Finally, the evaluators determined and reported the severity of the problems.
Results: In this evaluation, a total of 79 usability problems were identified. The highest number of problems was related to the feature “Help and Documentation” (12 problems), and the lowest number of problems was related to the features “Aesthetic and Minimalist Design” (2 problems) and “Privacy” (1 problem). 45.58% of the identified problems were in the category of major problems. The average degree of severity of the problems was from 2.05 (minor problem) related to the feature of “Pleasurable and Respectful Interaction with the User” to 2.99 (major problem) related to the feature of “User Control and Freedom”. Also, the average severity of problems was calculated as 2.5, classified in the range of minor problems.
Conclusion: The heuristic evaluation method identifies user interface problems of information systems and dashboards using predetermined standards. If these problems are not resolved, they will cause users’ time wasted, errors to increase, information quality to decrease, and users’ dissatisfaction and confusion.
Samira Sadat Pourhosseini, Vahid Yazdi-Feyzabadi, Mohammad Hossein Mehrolhassani,
Volume 19, Issue 6 (3-2026)
Volume 19, Issue 6 (3-2026)
Abstract
Background and Aim: Identifying and transferring lessons learned from past disasters can significantly improve future disaster management performance. Although the general principles of disaster management are similar across events such as earthquakes, context-specific factors, including geographical location, scale and severity of the event, timing, and local characteristics, can shape distinct challenges and, consequently, different management approaches. Therefore, conducting case-based studies that account for the unique conditions of each disaster is essential for effective learning. This study focuses on the Kuhbanan earthquake and aims to identify management challenges arising from the specific characteristics of this region.
Materials and Methods: This study employed a qualitative design using a directed content analysis approach. The study population consisted of experts, decision-makers, and frontline practitioners directly involved in managing the Kuhbanan earthquake. Using purposive sampling with maximum variation, 15 participants were selected from key organizations, including the University of Medical Sciences, the Iranian Red Crescent Society, the Provincial Crisis Management Center, and non-governmental organizations active in rescue and relief operations. Data were collected through in-depth semi-structured interviews, with questions developed based on the dimensions of the STEEPV framework (Social, Technological, Economic, Environmental, Political, and Values). Interviews continued until data saturation was achieved. Data analysis was conducted using MAXQDA software.
Results: Data analysis led to the identification of 42 initial codes, 14 subcategories, and six categories aligned with the STEEPV framework. In the social dimension, key challenges included deficiencies in public and professional training systems (3 codes), weak intersectoral communication and coordination (6 codes), and inadequate responsiveness to community health needs (4 codes). In the technological domain, major limitations were observed in information management (2 codes) and the capacity of technological infrastructure (2 codes). From an economic perspective, financial constraints (5 codes) and welfare-related barriers (3 codes) were identified as influential factors. In the environmental dimension, specific geographical and climatic conditions including mountain topography, fault proximity, and mining operations (4 codes), along with unsuitable physical spaces for disaster management (3 codes), posed major challenges. In the political sphere, a noticeable gap between the government and the public (2 codes) and weak performance of some executive institutions (2 codes) were evident. Cultural and values-related challenges included specific local beliefs (1 code), inappropriate behaviors among communities and relief teams (2 codes), and insufficient consideration of regional culture in rescue and relief operations (3 codes).
Conclusion: This study demonstrated that despite the relatively small scale of the Kuhbanan earthquake, many structural and managerial challenges previously observed in larger disasters were repeated. This finding highlights a chronic weakness in institutional learning and process improvement within the disaster management system. The application of comprehensive analytical frameworks such as STEEPV can assist managers and planners in understanding the complexity and interconnections of different crisis dimensions, moving beyond fragmented and reactive approaches toward more informed decision-making, enhanced stakeholder coordination, and ultimately greater community resilience. It is recommended that the findings of this study be used as a roadmap for revising national disaster management policies and for designing an integrated disaster lesson-learning system.
Materials and Methods: This study employed a qualitative design using a directed content analysis approach. The study population consisted of experts, decision-makers, and frontline practitioners directly involved in managing the Kuhbanan earthquake. Using purposive sampling with maximum variation, 15 participants were selected from key organizations, including the University of Medical Sciences, the Iranian Red Crescent Society, the Provincial Crisis Management Center, and non-governmental organizations active in rescue and relief operations. Data were collected through in-depth semi-structured interviews, with questions developed based on the dimensions of the STEEPV framework (Social, Technological, Economic, Environmental, Political, and Values). Interviews continued until data saturation was achieved. Data analysis was conducted using MAXQDA software.
Results: Data analysis led to the identification of 42 initial codes, 14 subcategories, and six categories aligned with the STEEPV framework. In the social dimension, key challenges included deficiencies in public and professional training systems (3 codes), weak intersectoral communication and coordination (6 codes), and inadequate responsiveness to community health needs (4 codes). In the technological domain, major limitations were observed in information management (2 codes) and the capacity of technological infrastructure (2 codes). From an economic perspective, financial constraints (5 codes) and welfare-related barriers (3 codes) were identified as influential factors. In the environmental dimension, specific geographical and climatic conditions including mountain topography, fault proximity, and mining operations (4 codes), along with unsuitable physical spaces for disaster management (3 codes), posed major challenges. In the political sphere, a noticeable gap between the government and the public (2 codes) and weak performance of some executive institutions (2 codes) were evident. Cultural and values-related challenges included specific local beliefs (1 code), inappropriate behaviors among communities and relief teams (2 codes), and insufficient consideration of regional culture in rescue and relief operations (3 codes).
Conclusion: This study demonstrated that despite the relatively small scale of the Kuhbanan earthquake, many structural and managerial challenges previously observed in larger disasters were repeated. This finding highlights a chronic weakness in institutional learning and process improvement within the disaster management system. The application of comprehensive analytical frameworks such as STEEPV can assist managers and planners in understanding the complexity and interconnections of different crisis dimensions, moving beyond fragmented and reactive approaches toward more informed decision-making, enhanced stakeholder coordination, and ultimately greater community resilience. It is recommended that the findings of this study be used as a roadmap for revising national disaster management policies and for designing an integrated disaster lesson-learning system.
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