Abstract:

Distance learning courses (e-courses) to train medical professionals and to further medical education have become an important aspect to promote quality health services to people. In Brazil from 2010 to 2017 the Open University of the Unified National Health System (UNA-SUS) offered around 60 e-courses to 1,097,330 medical professionals. However, there is a need for studies investigating the users’ experience (UX) with the e-courses offered by UNA-SUS. Thus, an information design and UX case study was conducted on the e-courses produced by the UNA-SUS of the Federal University of Maranhão (UNA-SUS/UFMA) which offers the highest number of e-courses. This article presents the results of this study which were analyzed qualitatively.

The study consisted of three stages:
(1) Profile Survey: an online questionnaire was made available to 2,677 students to identify their preferences and experiences with e-courses and digital environment. The results were analyzed qualitatively to determine the key-tasks to be performed in the interaction test;
(2) Interaction test followed by retrospective interview: these were to verify aspects of UX in interacting with e-courses and virtual learning environments. For that, a typical/standard course (‘key-course’) of the UNA-SUS/UFMA was selected by a team of experts for the testing and for the next stage;
(3) Satisfaction Questionnaire: participants were invited to answer a satisfaction questionnaire on UX, regarding navigation, interaction and graphic interface of the key-course and its virtual learning environment. Stages 2 and 3 were performed by 60 students and potential students. They were equally divided into independent samples. The students’ group allowed to evaluate the actual experience with the virtual learning environment and the key-course, whereas the group of potential students allowed the evaluation of novice UX.

A total of 570 users/students (21.2%) responded the online questionnaire. The majority was women, nurses and medical doctors, between 26 and 35 years old. The main problems they pointed out regarded the graphic interface of the courses, the content and the communication system. Based on their responses, 14 tasks were selected for the interaction test.

In general, the tasks were performed satisfactorily by the 60 participants in both groups in the interaction test. Difficulties/dissatisfaction were related to the identification of clickable items; understanding of icons and icon labels; and organization of information on the interface layout.

Responses of the satisfaction questionnaire showed that most participants found their interaction experience positive. The organization of contents, and visual presentation of the course structure were well assessed by both students and potential students. However, inconsistency in navigation; lack of labels on icons, and lack of content sequencing were considered to negatively affect their UX.
The main conclusion of this study was that the problems identified in the study were due to the lack of user-centered-design approach to the key-course and virtual learning environment. Based on the results, recommendations were proposed to improve UNA-SUS/UFMA e-courses in the scope of UX and information design.

Keywords:

E-courses, health education, information design, user-experience.