Integrating Technology-Centric and User-Centric System Testing Methods: Ensuring Healthcare System Usability and Safety

The objective of this paper is to describe a framework for system testing in response to the need to ensure both the usability and safety of healthcare information systems. The approach includes consideration of methods that include both conventional computer software testing approaches (i.e. technology-centric approaches) and extends conventional testing to include consideration of system impact in terms of both usability and workflow (i.e. user-centric testing approaches) prior to system release. The paper describes these main approaches. It is argued that both technology and user-centered approaches should be employed before the release of a complex health information system in order to ensure that it is safe and does not inadvertently introduce error.