Patrick Cheong-Iao Pang

Designing Health Websites Based on Users’ Web-Based Information-Seeking Behaviors: A Mixed-Method Observational Study

Background Laypeople increasingly use the Internet as a source of health information, but finding and discovering the right information remains problematic. These issues are partially due to the mismatch between the design of consumer health websites and the needs of health information seekers, particularly the lack of support for “exploring” health information. Objective The aim of this research was to create a design for consumer health websites by supporting different health information–seeking behaviors. We created a website called Better Health Explorer with the new design. Through the evaluation of this new design, we derive design implications for future implementations. Methods Better Health Explorer was designed using a user-centered approach. The design was implemented and assessed through a laboratory-based observational study. Participants tried to use Better Health Explorer and another live health website. Both websites contained the same content. A mixed-method approach was adopted to analyze multiple types of data collected in the experiment, including screen recordings, activity logs, Web browsing histories, and audiotaped interviews. Results Overall, 31 participants took part in the observational study. Our new design showed a positive result for improving the experience of health information seeking, by providing a wide range of information and an engaging environment. The results showed better knowledge acquisition, a higher number of page reads, and more query reformulations in both focused and exploratory search tasks. In addition, participants spent more time to discover health information with our design in exploratory search tasks, indicating higher engagement with the website. Finally, we identify 4 design considerations for designing consumer health websites and health information–seeking apps: (1) providing a dynamic information scope; (2) supporting serendipity; (3) considering trust implications; and (4) enhancing interactivity. Conclusions Better Health Explorer provides strong support for the heterogeneous and shifting behaviors of health information seekers and eases the health information–seeking process. Our findings show the importance of understanding different health information–seeking behaviors and highlight the implications for designers of consumer health websites and health information–seeking apps.

Better Health Explorer: Designing for Health Information Seekers

A vast amount of health information has been published online, yet users often report difficulties in locating information in this particular domain. Based on our prior research, we consider four categories of online health information seekers who demonstrate mixed information needs. Although their searching needs are often well satisfied by entering keywords into search engines, their need to explore information is not so well supported, thus affecting their user experience and satisfaction. In this paper, we propose design principles for supporting the exploration of online health information. We present the rationale and the design process of a web app -- Better Health Explorer -- which is a proof-of-concept app tailored to health information exploration. This work contributes to the design of online health information systems as well as exploratory systems in general.

A map-like visualisation method based on liquid modelling

Many applications produce large amounts of data, and information visualisation has been successfully applied to help make sense of this data. Recently geographic maps have been used as a metaphor for visualisation, given that most people are familiar with reading maps, and several visualisation methods based on this metaphor have been developed. In this paper we present a new visualisation method that aims to improve on existing map-like visualisations. It is based on the metaphor of liquids poured onto a surface that expand outwards until they touch each other, forming larger areas. We present the design of our visualisation method and evaluations we have carried out to compare it with an existing visualisation. Our new visualisation has better usability, leading to higher accuracy and greater speed of task performance, as well as a lower error rate. HighlightsGeographic maps as a familiar metaphor for information visualisation.Map-like visualisation created by modelling fluids poured onto a surface.Tree-structured hierarchical data displayed in map-like form as nested areas.User evaluation demonstrates high usability and speed, and low error rate.

What Makes You Think This Is a Map?: Suggestions for Creating Map-like Visualisations

Maps have traditionally been used for representing the surface of the earth and for displaying geographical information. Apart from this obvious purpose, the metaphor of maps has been applied to other uses as well, such as information visualisation and novel user interfaces. Various methods exist for creating geographic map-like visualisations. Yet there is little understanding on how people perceive these graphical presentations as geographic maps, and how to make these information visualisations look like geographic maps. We attempt to find preliminary answers on these issues by conducting a user study with a series of map-like visualisations. In this paper, we report on the results of this study and reveal the factors that have an impact on the human perception of visualisations that are designed to resemble geographic maps. Based on this, we propose design suggestions for the future development of map-like visualisations.

Map-like visualisations vs. treemaps: an experimental comparison

Treemaps have been used in information visualisation for over two decades. They make use of nested filled areas to represent information hierarchies such as file systems, library catalogues, etc. Recent years have witnessed the emergence of visualisations that resemble geographic maps. In this paper we present a study that compares the performance of one such map-like visualisation with the original two forms of the treemap, namely nested and non-nested treemaps. Our study focused on a quantitative evaluation of accuracy and speed. We found that accuracy was highest for the map-like visualisations, followed by nested treemaps and lastly non-nested treemaps. Task performance was fastest for nested treemaps, followed by non-nested treemaps, and then map-like visualisations. We conclude that the results regarding accuracy are promising for the use of map-like visualisations in tasks involving the visualisation of hierarchical information, even at the expense of somewhat longer performance times.

Consumer and Researcher Experiences of Health Research Participation: Opportunities for the Use of Web-based Technologies (Preprint)

Background Health consumers are often targeted for their involvement in health research including randomized controlled trials, focus groups, interviews, and surveys. However, as reported by many studies, recruitment and engagement of consumers in academic research remains challenging. In addition, there is scarce literature describing what consumers look for and want to achieve by participating in research. Objective Understanding and responding to the needs of consumers is crucial to the success of health research projects. In this study, we aim to understand consumers’ needs and investigate the opportunities for addressing these needs with Web-based technologies, particularly in the use of Web-based research registers and social networking sites (SNSs). Methods We undertook a qualitative approach, interviewing both consumer and medical researchers in this study. With the help from an Australian-based organization supporting people with musculoskeletal conditions, we successfully interviewed 23 consumers and 10 researchers. All interviews were transcribed and analyzed with thematic analysis methodology. Data collection was stopped after the data themes reached saturation. Results We found that consumers perceive research as a learning opportunity and, therefore, expect high research transparency and regular updates. They also consider the sources of the information about research projects, the trust between consumers and researchers, and the mobility of consumers before participating in any research. Researchers need to be aware of such needs when designing a campaign for recruitment for their studies. On the other hand, researchers have attempted to establish a rapport with consumer participants, design research for consumers’ needs, and use technologies to reach out to consumers. A systematic approach to integrating a variety of technologies is needed. Conclusions On the basis of the feedback from both consumers and researchers, we propose 3 future directions to use Web-based technologies for addressing consumers’ needs and engaging with consumers in health research: (1) researchers can make use of consumer registers and Web-based research portals, (2) SNSs and new media should be frequently used as an aid, and (3) new technologies should be adopted to remotely collect data and reduce administrative work for obtaining consumers’ consent.

Creating realistic map-like visualisations

Maps have traditionally been used for displaying geographical information. However, apart from this obvious purpose, the metaphor of maps has been applied to other uses, such as information visualisation and novel user interfaces, since the map metaphor is easy-to-understand and allows users to explore data intuitively. There are several methods for creating these map-like visualisations and user interfaces, but there is little understanding on how people perceive these non-geographical maps, and how to make the visualisation output more realistic. As such, we aim to find preliminary answers on these issues by conducting user studies with a series of map-like visualisations. In this paper, we report on the results of the studies and reveal the factors that have an impact on the human perception of visualisations that are designed to resemble geographic maps. Based on these results, we propose design suggestions for building realistic map-like visualisations.

Better health information exploration

The provision of health information has to be clear and appealing to users. Research has shown that health information seekers do not all have the same attributes, skills or needs. In any given health-related app or website, there is a need to provide tools for accessing information in ways that appeal to users. This is not always supported by current web technologies. As such, based on prior research on health information seeking behaviour and needs, we designed and created a proof-of-concept website named Better Health Explorer to experiment on health information seekers. The pilot results show a positive effect on supporting and improving the experience of seekers with exploratory search behaviour.