Using Health Information Technology to Manage Chronic Illnesses - Assignment

Evaluate a Website and a Mobile App for Chronic Illness Management

Nurses are using health information technology to improve patient outcomes but not all issues have been resolved. Explore the rapidly evolving world of electronic health information and health management tools in the following assignment.

Choose a health care topic or chronic illness for which you can locate a website, a mobile app, and an evidence-based practice care guideline (guidelines.gov). You will evaluate the website and the mobile app separately and then compare and contrast their usability as patient education/healthcare management tools. Finally, you will ensure the credibility of each by comparing information presented in each to the evidence-based practice care guideline, or some other source of credible information about the health issue or illness.

Usability concepts to consider as a guide when evaluating websites and apps:

•The homepage is attractive.

•The homepage is attention-getting.

•The overall site/app is attractive.

•The site's/app’s graphics are pleasing.

•The site/app has a good balance of graphics versus text.

•The colors used throughout the site/app are attractive.

•The typography (lettering, headings, titles) is attractive.

•The homepage's content makes you want to explore the site/app further.

•It is easy to find your way around the site/app.

•You can get to information quickly.

•It is fun to explore the site/app.

•It is easy to remember where to find things.

•Information is layered effectively on different screens.

•Information is easy to read.

•Information is written in a style that suits most patients.

•Screens have the right amount of information.

•The site/app effectively communicates the intended message/s.

•The information is relevant to my professional needs and my patients’ education needs.

•The site/app is designed with patients in mind.

•The site's/app’s content is interesting.

•The site's/app’s content would keep entice patients to come back.

•The site/app has characteristics that make it especially appealing.

•The site/app reflects progressive, leading edge design.

•The site/app is exciting.

•The site/app is well-suited to first-time visitors.

•The site/app is well-suited to repeat visitors.

•The site/app has a clear purpose.

•I always felt I knew what it was possible to do next, and how to do it.

•It is clear how screen elements (e.g., pop-ups, scrolling lists, menu options, etc.) work.

•The site/app is credible and up to date.

•The site/app is useful as a patient education/healthcare management tool. 

Summarize the characteristics of the website by addressing the following questions: 

1.What are your overall impressions of the Web site?

2.If you had to give the site a grade, from A to F, where A was exemplary, and F was failing, what grade would you give it, and why? Explain using the above criteria.

Compare and Contrast their Usability as Patient Education/Healthcare Management Tools

3.What are the three things you like best about the Web site?

4.What are the three things you like least about the Web site?                             

5.If you could make one significant change to this Web site, what change would you make?                                                                                                           

6.Would you recommend this Web site to patients in the future? Why/why not?  

7.Compare the information in the website to the practice guideline. State the practice guideline Are there materials you would like to see added or deleted from to the Web site? Which ones and why

Summarize the characteristics of the mobile app by addressing the following                                               

1.What are your overall impressions of the app?

2.If you had to give the app a grade, from A to F, where A was exemplary and F was failing, what grade would you give it, and why?

3.What are the three things you like best about the app?

4.What are the three things you like least about the app?

5.If you could make one significant change to this app, what change would you make?                    

6.Would you recommend this app to patients in the future? Why/why not?     

7.Compare the information in the mobile app to the practice guideline. State the practice guideline. Are there materials or functions you would like to see added or deleted from the app? Which ones and why?                                                                            

Compare and contrast the website and the app as a patient education or a healt   care management tool by exploring the questions below.

1.Which is the more effective tool and why? For example, what are the characteristics of a credible website or app. What are the implications for Patient Safety? Explain. 

2.What patient characteristics would influence your decision to recommend one or the other to an individual patient for managing a health challenge?  Be specific      

3.Discuss how cognitive informatics (Chapter 4) relates to the design and usability of each.                                                                                                             

4.How will you use what you have learned in your clinical or work setting?