User-Centered Design of an Electronic Dashboard for Monitoring Facility-Level Basic Emergency Obstetric Care Readiness in Amhara, Ethiopia: Mixed Methods Study (Preprint)

• DOI: 10.2196/preprints.64131
• Publication Date: 2024-07-17T13:50:18Z
• Authors: Kylie Dougherty; Yihenew Tesfaye; Heran Biza; Mulusew Belew; Natalie Benda; Abebe Gebremariam...; John Cranmer; Suzanne Bakken
• Keywords: Preprint

<sec> <title>BACKGROUND</title> Maternal mortality remains a persistent public health concern in Sub-Saharan African countries such as Ethiopia. Previous research has shown that when healthcare facilities do not have the necessary supplies to provide basic emergency obstetric care (BEmOC), women experiencing these emergencies can receive delayed diagnosis/treatment or suboptimal care. Health information technology solutions are flexible and low-cost method for tracking medical supply availability. Furthermore, lead improved outcomes, displayed proven benefits low-to-middle income country systems. </sec> <title>OBJECTIVE</title> The purpose of this study was develop evaluate usability electronic dashboards monitor facility-level readiness manage (BEmOC) Amhara, <title>METHODS</title> used three methods iteratively refine dashboards: (1) user-centered design sessions with individuals who interact BEmOC chain; (2) review feedback from domain visualization subject matter experts (SMEs) dashboards; (3) heuristic evaluations human-computer interaction (HCI) SMEs. <title>RESULTS</title> User-centered resulted preliminary version informed by end-user preferences perceptions. Next, SMEs continued dashboards’ iterative refinement, confirming choices recommending changes enhance navigation. HCI rated highly usable (0.82 on scale 0-4). <title>CONCLUSIONS</title> Dashboards novel promoting facility’s capacity BEmOC. By including targeted end-users process team able tailor meet user needs, fit into existing government systems, ensure follow best practices. Collectively, novel, customized be track improve facility Ethiopia, similar global facilities.