Chapter One — 1.1 Background to the Study

Organizations that depend on electronic health records are under increasing pressure to modernize, and Usability Testing Practices 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 usability testing practices in mind, resulting in persistent gaps in navigation efficiency that limit their overall effectiveness. This study examines how Usability Testing Practices can be applied to help close that gap.

1.2 Statement of the Problem

Existing approaches to navigation efficiency within electronic health records remain largely reactive and fragmented, with little systematic use of usability testing practices despite its demonstrated value elsewhere. This study addresses the resulting gap by designing and evaluating a solution built specifically around usability testing practices.

1.3 Objectives of the Study

1. To design and implement a usability testing practices-based approach to improving navigation efficiency in electronic health records.
2. To evaluate the effectiveness of Usability Testing Practices in enhancing navigation efficiency within electronic health records.
3. To identify the key requirements and constraints relevant to deploying usability testing practices in this context.
4. To assess user and stakeholder perception of the resulting system.

1.4 Research Questions

1. How can usability testing practices be applied to improve navigation efficiency in electronic health records?
2. How effective is Usability Testing Practices at enhancing navigation efficiency within electronic health records?
3. What requirements and constraints are relevant to deploying usability testing practices 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 usability testing practices 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 study of this kind, its scope is confined to designing and evaluating a usability testing practices-based solution for electronic health records, focused specifically on navigation efficiency; broader deployment considerations fall outside this scope.