Perceived usability and acceptability of the My-Hip Fracture risk communication tool from the perspective of academic clinicians

Objective

We evaluated the usability and acceptability of My-Hip Fracture (My-HF), a web application that assists providers in delivering individualized prognostic information to patients hospitalized for hip fracture (HF).

Methods

We observed a sample of 16 clinicians as they navigated My-HF. We then administered a structured questionnaire and conducted semi-structured interviews to explore participants' opinions about the app's content and the feasibility of incorporating the app into clinical workflows.

Results

Clinicians required a median of 2-min and 45 s to navigate through the app. Nearly all participants indicated that My-HF was easy to use and would be useful for their practice. About half of participants had suggestions for additional useful peri-operative content. A few expressed concerns about communicating mortality risk. About half expressed concerns about how My-HF might be integrated into existing clinical workflows.

Conclusions

Though clinicians rated My-HF high on usefulness in a structured usability questionnaire, qualitative interviews identified a number of suggestions for optimizing integration into clinical practice. Creating shared goals, establishing a decision coach, and developing a framework of communication across care settings could facilitate integration of My-HF by the multidisciplinary HF team.

Innovation

My-Hip Fracture is a unique web application which provides personalized prognostic information to patients and families after HF. My-HF has potential to facilitate informed decision-making between clinicians and patients, but adaptations will be necessary to enhance its usability.