Background: Studies on the usability of health care devices are becoming more common, although usability standards are not necessarily specified and followed. Yet, there is little knowledge about the impact of the context of use on the usability outcome. It is specified in the usability standard (ISO 9241-11, 2018) of a device that it may be affected by its context of use and especially by the characteristics of its users. Among these, prior health knowledge (ie, knowledge about human body functioning) is crucial. However, no study has shown that prior health knowledge influences the usability of medical devices. Objective: Our study aimed to fill this gap by analyzing the relationship between the usability of two home medical devices (soon to be used in the context of ambulatory surgery) and prior health knowledge through an experimental approach. Methods: For assessing the usability of two home medical devices (blood pressure monitor and pulse oximeter), user tests were conducted among 149 students. A mixed-methods approach (subjective vs objective) using a variety of standard instruments was adopted (direct observation, video analysis, and questionnaires). Participants completed a questionnaire to show the extent of their previous health knowledge and then operated both devices randomly. Efficiency (ie, handling time) and effectiveness (ie, number of handling errors) measures were collected by video analysis. Satisfaction measures were collected by a questionnaire (system usability scale [SUS]). The qualitative observational data were coded using inductive analysis by two independent researchers specialized in cognitive psychology and cognitive ergonomics. Correlational analyses and clusters were performed to test how usability relates to sociodemographic characteristics and prior health knowledge. Results: The results indicated a lack of usability for both devices. Regarding the blood pressure monitor (137 participants), users made approximately 0.77 errors (SD 1.49), and the mean SUS score was 72.4 (SD 21.07), which is considered “satisfactory.” The pulse oximeter (147 participants) appeared easier to use, but participants made more errors (mean 0.99, SD 0.92), and the mean SUS score was 71.52 (SD 17.29), which is considered “satisfactory.” The results showed a low negative and significant correlation only between the effectiveness of the two devices and previous knowledge (blood pressure monitor: r=−0.191, P=.03; pulse oximeter: r=−0.263, P=.001). More subtly, we experimentally identified the existence of a threshold level (χ²2,146=10.9, P=.004) for health knowledge to correctly use the pulse oximeter, but this was missing for the blood pressure monitor. Conclusions: This study has the following two contributions: (1) a theoretical interest highlighting the importance of user characteristics including prior health knowledge on usability outcomes and (2) an applied interest to provide recommendations to designers and medical staff.

This article reviews the current scientific literature that relates to automated vehicles (AVs), vehicles controlled by a computer instead of a human driver, and people living with a disability (PLWD). The aim of this review is (1) to explore how AVs might improve mobility for PLWD, (2) to identify research gaps to guide future studies, and (3) to examine the real-world applicability of existing research. A structured search following PRISMA guidelines identified 66 relevant peer-reviewed publications. The findings suggest that AVs hold promise in reducing transport-related social exclusion by increasing autonomy, flexibility, and accessibility for PLWD, thereby supporting the transition toward more inclusive and environmentally sustainable transport systems. However, the potential benefits of AVs for the mobility of PLWD depend on the type of vehicle considered (e.g., private vs. public transport) as well as the potential challenges related to the legal framework, accessibility standards, and addressing PLWD concerns, opinions, and needs. To overcome the existing obstacles to the widespread adoption of AVs and make them a real opportunity for PLWD, collaboration between all stakeholders in the sector (i.e., governments, industries, and disability associations) is needed. This review supports cross-sector collaboration for inclusive AV implementation.

BACKGROUND Studies on the usability of health care devices are becoming more common, although usability standards are not necessarily specified and followed. Yet, there is little knowledge about the impact of the context of use on the usability outcome. It is specified in the usability standard (ISO 9241-11, 2018) of a device that it may be affected by its context of use and especially by the characteristics of its users. Among these, prior health knowledge (ie, knowledge about human body functioning) is crucial. However, no study has shown that prior health knowledge influences the usability of medical devices. OBJECTIVE Our study aimed to fill this gap by analyzing the relationship between the usability of two home medical devices (soon to be used in the context of ambulatory surgery) and prior health knowledge through an experimental approach. METHODS For assessing the usability of two home medical devices (blood pressure monitor and pulse oximeter), user tests were conducted among 149 students. A mixed-methods approach (subjective vs objective) using a variety of standard instruments was adopted (direct observation, video analysis, and questionnaires). Participants completed a questionnaire to show the extent of their previous health knowledge and then operated both devices randomly. Efficiency (ie, handling time) and effectiveness (ie, number of handling errors) measures were collected by video analysis. Satisfaction measures were collected by a questionnaire (system usability scale [SUS]). The qualitative observational data were coded using inductive analysis by two independent researchers specialized in cognitive psychology and cognitive ergonomics. Correlational analyses and clusters were performed to test how usability relates to sociodemographic characteristics and prior health knowledge. RESULTS The results indicated a lack of usability for both devices. Regarding the blood pressure monitor (137 participants), users made approximately 0.77 errors (SD 1.49), and the mean SUS score was 72.4 (SD 21.07), which is considered “satisfactory.” The pulse oximeter (147 participants) appeared easier to use, but participants made more errors (mean 0.99, SD 0.92), and the mean SUS score was 71.52 (SD 17.29), which is considered “satisfactory.” The results showed a low negative and significant correlation only between the effectiveness of the two devices and previous knowledge (blood pressure monitor: r=−0.191, P=.03; pulse oximeter: r=−0.263, P=.001). More subtly, we experimentally identified the existence of a threshold level (χ²2,146=10.9, P=.004) for health knowledge to correctly use the pulse oximeter, but this was missing for the blood pressure monitor. CONCLUSIONS This study has the following two contributions: (1) a theoretical interest highlighting the importance of user characteristics including prior health knowledge on usability outcomes and (2) an applied interest to provide recommendations to designers and medical staff.

Il est aujourd’hui plus aisé de proposer dans un même document d’apprentissage de nombreuses sources d’information présentées sous des formats différents. Si présenter plusieurs médias peut apporter des bénéfices en termes de performances d’apprentissage, traiter efficacement ces différentes sources d’information est une activité complexe. C’est pourquoi, proposer des documents guidant l’apprenant lors de sa consultation peut s’avérer nécessaire afin de favoriser la construction d’un modèle mental de qualité. Les études empiriques menées au cours de cette thèse se sont attachées à déterminer quels formats étaient les plus efficaces tout en augmentant progressivement le guidage au sein du document. Ainsi, ont été testés : la position de l’illustration par rapport au texte, l’effet de la consigne, la segmentation du texte et l’introduction d’un guidage via un contraste figure/fond. De plus, afin d’apporter de nouveaux éléments de réflexion quant à la manière dont les individus explorent un document d’apprentissage et l’impact de ces stratégies sur les performances, les mouvements oculaires des apprenants ont été enregistrés. Les résultats obtenus ont mis en évidence que les modifications du format de présentation des informations avaient un impact sur les stratégies de consultation du document notamment sur l’augmentation des transitions oculaires effectuées entre les textes et les illustrations. Cependant, seule la segmentation du texte sous forme de paragraphes sémantiques a permis d’obtenir des bénéfices en termes de compréhension.