Objective: To evaluate the usability and acceptability of a user-interface for a clinical decision support system (CDSS), SMaRT-PD, for Parkinson’s disease.

Background: PD is an increasingly prevalent progressive neurodegenerative condition. Providing meaningful and timely clinical input within the context of pressures on healthcare systems is challenging. CDSSs can reduce these challenges by enhancing medical decisions and improving health outcomes. An innovative PD service is being implemented within University Hospitals Plymouth (UHP) NHS Trust, UK, involving home-based monitoring of people with Parkinson’s (PwP) using a wearable sensor, a digital data capture system and a CDSS. CDSS outputs include tailored self-management guidance and identification of PwP in need of clinical review. PwP interaction will be via a web-based user interface provided by the Patients Know Best (PKB) service integrated with the NHS app. Uptake and usability experience can be maximised using Human Computer Interaction (HCI) and evaluation methods.

Method: A diverse (age, sex, rurality, disease duration and deprivation) group of 10 PwP will be recruited from the Parkinson’s service at UHP to a cross-sectional, mixed methods study. There will be 3 study visits: (1) motivators, thoughts and emotions on using the interface will be captured using Think Aloud methods, with user journeys based on tasks aligned with critical interface functions; (2) key features and user requirements will be assessed during a focus group; (3) usability will be assessed using the System Usability Scale (SUS). Session recordings will be transcribed verbatim and analysed using thematic analysis. SUS data will be analysed descriptively. Findings will be used to iterate interface design between each study visit.

Results: This study will provide an understanding and inform the iteration of a PwP-facing web-based interface designed to enable the function of SMaRT-PD, as a portal for both data input and presentation of CDSS outputs to PwP.

Conclusion: The findings of this study will ensure that SMaRT-PD, designed for management of PD, is acceptable for PwP having incorporated their opinions into the design to best meet their needs.

« Back to 2025 International Congress

MDS Abstracts - https://www.mdsabstracts.org/abstract/usability-evaluation-of-a-web-based-interface-for-self-management-remote-monitoring-and-timely-review-for-parkinsons-disease-smart-pd/