Robert Schumacher to Discuss Usability in HIT with Greater Chicago Chapter of HIMSS

The Greater Chicago Chapter of the Health Information and Management Systems Society (GCC HIMSS) is hosting an event highlighting usability and its impact on Health Information Technology (HIT).   “How to Measure and Improve Usability in HIT” will include presentations by Robert Schumacher, PhD, Managing Director of User Centric and Edmond Israelski, PhD, Human Factors Program Manager of Abbott Laboratories.  Dr. Schumacher will talk about what usability is and what it is not and the future of usability in the HIT industry.  Following the presentations will be a panel-discussion with executives from Northwestern including Dale Sanders, David Liebovitz, MD, and Lyle Berkowitz, MD, discussing usability with electronic health records (EHRs) specifically.

The event will be held on May 21, 2009 from 6-8: 30 pm at the Columbia Yacht Club in downtown Chicago.  For more information, visit www.gcchimss.net.

User Centric has been very involved in promoting the importance of usability testing and evaluation of EHR systems.  Recently releasing white papers on EHR usability as well as a case study comparing popular PHR applications, User Centric also announced a new syndicated research study testing the usability of EHR applications.

About HIMSS

Founded in 1961, the Healthcare Information and Management Systems Society (HIMSS) is the healthcare industry's membership organization exclusively focused on providing global leadership for the optimal use of healthcare information technology (IT) and management systems for the betterment of healthcare. HIMSS frames and leads healthcare public policy and industry practices through its advocacy, educational and professional development initiatives designed to promote information and management systems’ contributions to ensuring quality patient care. www.himss.org

About User Centric, Inc.

User Centric is a global consulting firm that focuses on improving user experience. We apply our expertise to projects involving handhelds, web sites, software, medical devices, print, packaging, and telephony services. Experience, quality, value, global reach and outstanding client services set us apart. Our services include user research, user interface design consulting, information architecture, usability testing, user interface evaluations, eye tracking, and online surveys. Learn more about us at www.UserCentric.com.