The launch of the Genetics Navigator (GN) platform marks a significant advancement in clinical genetic services, addressing the diverse needs of pediatric and adult patients with a comprehensive digital solution.
Development of Genetics Navigator
Designed with contributions from a patient and clinician advisory board, the GN prototype enhances existing genetic services by incorporating video and written content tailored to various genetic conditions. Building upon the foundation of the Genetics Adviser platform, GN offers functionalities such as pre-test education, counseling, decision support, history collection, result disclosure, and management tools, all structured to facilitate seamless user interaction.
Usability Testing and Participant Feedback
The platform underwent rigorous usability testing involving 28 participants, including genetics patients, parents of pediatric patients, and individuals from the general public. Utilizing the ‘think aloud’ method and the System Usability Scale (SUS), the GN received an average score of 87.7, reflecting its above-average usability. Feedback highlighted the importance of a supportive design, smooth workflow, and engaging user experience, prompting targeted refinements of the platform.
• Integration of multimedia content to enhance understanding
• Streamlined navigation to reduce user effort
• Enhanced interactive features to maintain engagement
• Improved accessibility for diverse user groups
• Ongoing feedback mechanisms for continuous improvement
The high SUS score indicates that the Genetics Navigator effectively meets user needs, providing a user-friendly interface that could potentially increase the adoption and efficiency of genetic services. The targeted modifications based on participant feedback ensured that GN aligns closely with the expectations and requirements of its end-users.
Moving forward, GN plans to evaluate its clinical and cost-effectiveness through a randomized trial. This next phase will assess the platform’s impact on patient outcomes and its economic viability within healthcare systems.
Genetics Navigator stands as a promising tool in the digitization of genetic services, offering a tailored and intuitive platform that supports both patients and clinicians. Its successful development and high usability ratings pave the way for broader implementation, promising enhanced access to genetic testing and more efficient clinical workflows.
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