Chapter One — 1.1 Background to the Study

Organizations that depend on electronic health records are under increasing pressure to modernize, and Heuristic Evaluation Methods has emerged as one of the more promising avenues for doing so, given its demonstrated impact in related domains.

Despite this potential, many existing electronic health records were not originally designed with heuristic evaluation methods in mind, resulting in persistent gaps in perceived usability that limit their overall effectiveness. This study examines how Heuristic Evaluation Methods can be applied to help close that gap.

1.2 Statement of the Problem

Current electronic health records in many organizations struggle with inadequate perceived usability, often relying on manual processes or outdated architectures that were not designed for today's operating environment. Without a structured approach to integrating heuristic evaluation methods, these limitations are likely to persist, exposing organizations to inefficiency, risk, and a poor user experience. This study is motivated by the need to design and evaluate a heuristic evaluation methods-based approach to addressing this problem.

1.3 Objectives of the Study

1. To design and implement a heuristic evaluation methods-based approach to improving perceived usability in electronic health records.
2. To evaluate the effectiveness of Heuristic Evaluation Methods in enhancing perceived usability within electronic health records.
3. To identify the key requirements and constraints relevant to deploying heuristic evaluation methods in this context.
4. To assess user and stakeholder perception of the resulting system.

1.4 Research Questions

1. How can heuristic evaluation methods be applied to improve perceived usability in electronic health records?
2. How effective is Heuristic Evaluation Methods at enhancing perceived usability within electronic health records?
3. What requirements and constraints are relevant to deploying heuristic evaluation methods in this context?
4. How do users and stakeholders perceive the resulting system?

1.5 Significance of the Study

Beyond its immediate technical contribution, this study offers value to organizations evaluating whether to invest in heuristic evaluation methods for their own electronic health records, and contributes to the broader literature on applied UI/UX design by documenting a concrete implementation and evaluation case.

1.6 Scope of the Study

As a BSc-level study, its scope is confined to designing and evaluating a heuristic evaluation methods-based solution for electronic health records, focused specifically on perceived usability; broader deployment considerations fall outside this scope.