The utility and usability of medical imaging device manufacturers' websites for imaging physics education for first cycle radiography programmes.

Abstract

Objective The objective of the study was to survey medical imaging device manufacturers' websites with respect to their utility and usability for diagnostic radiography physics education at First cycle level from the point of view of a student. Research Design The websites of manufacturers satisfying a specific set of criteria were assessed for their different components of utility and usability by the author of the study using a heuristic based utility and usability assessment instrument specifically designed for radiography education. Results The websites have been found to have a high utility score (scale from 0-4) for relevance of content (average score 3.5), accuracy of content (average score 3), currency of content (average score 3), quality of text (average score 2.8) and image content (average score 2.8), a medium score for quality of video content (average score 2.5) and simulations (average score 1.5), completeness of content (average score 2.3), appropriateness of outcome learning competences (average score 2.5) and a low average score for referencing of content (average score 0), quality of glossary (average score 1 ). The websites have been found to have a high usability score for space within interface design (average score 3), consistency of interface design (average score 3.8), all the heuristics related to error prevention (average score for each of these heuristics 4), a medium score for quality of results' searches (average score 2.5), and overall attractiveness (average score 2.3) and a low score for first time use instructions (average score 0), adequacy of help menu (average score 1 ), and sources of content of hyper links (average score 0). Conclusions This study provided the first utility and usability assessment device manufacturers' websites for possible use within biomedical imaging physics learning in first cycle diagnostic radiography curricula. The contents of these websites, such as video clips and simulations can be easily used to make biomedical imaging physics learning easier and more interesting.