Requirements specification, design, and evaluation of dental image exchange and management system with user-centered approach: A case study in Iran

Bahlol Rahimi; Sajjad Karimian; Aisan Ghaznavi; Mohammad Jafari Heydarlou

doi:10.1002/hsr2.1760

Requirements specification, design, and evaluation of dental image exchange and management system with user-centered approach: A case study in Iran

Health Sci Rep. 2023 Dec 17;6(12):e1760. doi: 10.1002/hsr2.1760. eCollection 2023 Dec.

Authors

Bahlol Rahimi¹, Sajjad Karimian², Aisan Ghaznavi³, Mohammad Jafari Heydarlou⁴

Affiliations

¹ Health and Biomedical Informatics Research Center Urmia University of Medical Sciences Urmia Iran.
² Student Research Committee Urmia University of Medical Sciences Urmia Iran.
³ Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Radiology, School of Dentistry Urmia University of Medical Sciences Urmia Iran.
⁴ Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Disease, School of Dentistry Urmia University of Medical Sciences Urmia Iran.

Abstract

Background and aims: Systems existing in hospital or clinic settings offer services within the physical environment. Examples of such systems include picture archiving and communication systems, which provide remote services for patients. To develop a successful system, methods like software development life cycles (SDLCs) and design techniques, such as prototyping, are needed. This study aimed to specify requirements, design, and evaluation of dental image exchange and management system using a user-centered approach.

Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted in four phases, each corresponding to different stages of SDLCs. User-needs data were used to gathered by interviews and observations. A prototype was developed using object-oriented programming and presented to users for feedback. Finally, focus group was used to finalized the prototype into the desired system.

Results: User needs were identified and prioritized from the outset, with ease of use, security, and mobile apps being their most essential requirements. The prototype underwent several iterations of design and evaluation in focus group sessions until users were satisfied, and their feedback was incorporated. Eventually, the prototype was refined into the final system with users' consent.

Conclusion: The study revealed that instant access to information, voluntary participation, user interface (UI) design, and usefulness were critical variables for users and should be integral to any system. Successful implementation of such a system requires careful consideration of end-users' needs and their application to the system. Moreover, integrating the system with electronic health records can further enhance the treatment process and the efficiency of medical staff. The voluntary perspective of users played a significant role in achieving an exemplary UI and overall satisfaction with the system. Developers and policymakers should consider these aspects in similar system development projects.

Keywords: health information systems; interactive exchange radiology image system; program evaluation; radiology information systems; requirements specification; software design.