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Article published In:
Information Design Journal
Vol. 24:3 (2018) ► pp.203–219

User experience (ux) in health education apps

Interaction testing with physicians in a work context in Brazil

The popularization of mobile devices has contributed to the democratization of health education in areas of difficult access through mobile learning. For effective learning to occur it is necessary to consider aspects of the user experience (ux) and aspects of human cognition in the interaction with artifacts in a social context. In this scope, a ux study of an app for health was conducted in Brazil. The app was developed by the Open University of the Unified Health System (una-sus) of the Federal University of Maranhão (ufma). The app was evaluated through interaction testing with simultaneous interviews, followed by a satisfaction questionnaire. 16 physicians took part in the study, which was conducted in their work context. In general, users did not have any prolems using the app. However, there were problems in navigating and understanding elements of the graphic interface that could affect ux and content learning. The results of the study are discussed from the perspective of Information Design and according to the Theory of Situated Cognition. Based on these results and on the literature, some recommendations for the design of health apps are put forward.

Keywords: information design, user experience (ux), health education, mobile devices
Article outline
  • 1.Introduction
  • 2.Contributions of the Theory of Situated Cognition to ux
  • 3.M-learning: Mobile interaction devices for learning
  • 4.M-learning as a more flexible way to educate
  • 5.Content and graphic representation from the perspective of information design
  • 6.Study on ux in an app and course in the health field in Brazil
    • 6.1Protocols and tasks
    • 6.2Participants and material
    • 6.3Analysis of the results
  • 7.Results and discussion
    • 7.1Task performances
    • 7.2Satisfaction questionnaire
  • 8.Main conclusions and considerations
  • 9.Recommendations for the design of graphic interfaces of health apps
  • Notes
  • References
Published online: 23 September 2019
DOI logo
https://doi.org/10.1075/idj.24.3.01cas
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