Human-Centred Design | Data Visualisation Tools | Healthcare Data
In high-pressure healthcare settings, the design of data tools directly impacts the speed and accuracy of decision-making. Notitia Director Helen Dockrell emphasises that human-centred data design is far more than just an aesthetic choice. By reducing cognitive load and guiding users intuitively, data solutions can enable healthcare teams to focus on what matters most: improving patient outcomes.
Despite its importance, data visualisation in healthcare is often considered a "nice to have" rather than a necessity. The assumption is that experienced health professionals don’t need enhanced visual tools, relying instead on years of experience to interpret data. But recent research challenges this notion, showing that even seasoned professionals benefit from human-centred design, which can reduce errors and expedite responses when interpreting critical information.
The Impact of Human-Centred Design: Study
A study conducted by the University of Queensland underscores how impactful human-centred design can be in healthcare. The study focused on observation charts, which clinicians use to monitor patient conditions. By applying human-centred design principles, researchers found that well-designed, user-friendly charts help healthcare teams make faster, more accurate decisions—even outperforming the charts they were already familiar with.
Challenging the assumption: Familiarity vs. human-centred design
The study examined whether observation charts designed with human-centred principles improved healthcare professionals' performance compared to charts they had used for years.
Participants included 101 health professionals familiar with either a traditional multiple parameter track-and-trigger chart or a basic graphical chart without a track-and-trigger system.
These clinicians were presented with realistic patient observations in a simulated environment, where they had to quickly identify any abnormal signs.
The results were clear: participants made significantly fewer errors and responded faster when using the newly designed, user-friendly chart. Despite years of experience with other chart designs, the professionals performed better when using the human-centred chart—an important finding that challenges the “familiarity is best” approach.
Cognitive load: Why human-centred design works in high-pressure settings
The study's findings underline a critical aspect of human-centred design: it reduces cognitive load.
Cognitive load refers to the mental effort required to process information. When clinicians are required to interpret patient data quickly, a complex or poorly designed chart can slow down their response and increase the likelihood of errors. A human-centred chart design, by contrast, streamlines information, making it easier to grasp at a glance, particularly under pressure.
By reducing cognitive load, these designs help clinicians make decisions faster and with greater accuracy, directly impacting patient outcomes. In healthcare, where time and accuracy are paramount, human-centred design provides a way to support clinicians in their roles, allowing them to focus on critical information without unnecessary cognitive strain.
Implications for Australian healthcare
For healthcare organisations looking to improve patient outcomes, the message is clear: don’t rely solely on familiarity with existing tools. Instead, consider how human-centred design could enhance the effectiveness of data visualisation tools, particularly those used in high-pressure environments.
Visualisations that prioritise clarity and usability can make a genuine difference in clinical decision-making, potentially reducing errors in detecting patient deterioration.
Implementing human-centred design: What hospitals can do
So, how can hospitals and healthcare organisations take advantage of these findings? Here are a few actionable steps to consider:
1. Invest in user-friendly tools: Healthcare organisations should prioritise investing in observation charts and other data tools that are designed with human factors in mind. This means going beyond traditional designs and looking at options that streamline information in a way that makes it instantly accessible to clinicians.
2. Test and Iterate: Just as in the study, testing different chart designs in realistic scenarios can reveal which designs genuinely aid in quick and accurate decision-making. Usability testing with real healthcare staff ensures that tools are refined based on actual user needs and performance.
3. Provide training on new tools: While human-centred design should make tools more intuitive, training can further help clinicians adapt to new, more effective designs. Training sessions that highlight how these charts reduce cognitive load can reinforce the value of human-centred tools.
4. Evaluate regularly: As patient care needs evolve, so should the tools. Regular evaluations and updates to data visualisation tools ensure that they continue to meet the high demands of healthcare professionals.
Data tools: Moving beyond the status quo
The findings from the University of Queensland study suggest that traditional thinking around data tools—relying solely on familiar designs—is outdated. In fast-paced, high-stakes environments like healthcare, there’s no room for tools that add cognitive load.
Well-designed, user-friendly data visualisation tools should be seen as essential elements that support healthcare teams, enabling them to perform at their best.
Design & data visualisation: Client case studies
North Western Melbourne Primary Health Network (NWMPHN) to develop a Health Needs Assessment (HNA) Tool:
A recent project for North Western Melbourne Primary Health Network (NWMPHN) exemplifies this approach. Notitia partnered with NWMPHN to support the initial ideation of a potential Health Needs Assessment (HNA) tool, aimed at providing an interactive way for PHNs and health service providers to understand the geographic, demographic, and social determinants of health.
Our process included conducting initial discovery and wireframe development sessions with key stakeholders, during which we created user personas and user stories to accurately capture the tool’s functionality requirements.
The engagement involved several iterative sessions to refine wireframes, user flow diagrams, and eventually a semi-interactive, high-fidelity prototype that NWMPHN could use to demonstrate the tool’s value and secure future funding for its full development.
Notitia’s collaborative and structured approach ensured the HNA tool concept met NWMPHN’s needs, aligning with our focus on transparent and trusted data processes to support meaningful insights.
Why Notitia Embraces human-centred design in data solutions
At Notitia, we believe that data should be a tool, not a challenge.
Our approach to data solutions is grounded in human-centred design principles, creating tools that don’t just provide information but do so in a way that is easy to interpret and act upon, especially in high-stakes environments like healthcare.
Our focus on user experience means we build data solutions that support healthcare professionals rather than add to their cognitive load. By prioritising design that works for people, Notitia’s tools help high-performing teams make decisions with confidence and precision.
We help teams align their data-driven initiatives with meaningful, impactful results. Get in touch to find out how we can help with your next data project!
About Helen Dockrell, Notitia Director
Notitia Director, Helen is a software developer who has worked in both industry and research environments to develop tools to conceptualise complex systems.
Always up to the challenge, Helen has a proven track record in developing ways that empower her clients through improved access to data for informed decision making.
Helen is a highly creative person, which fires her passion for problem solving and out-of-the-box thinking.
Leading Notitia's Adelaide office, Helen works with clients both in-person and remotely across Australia.
Her educational background in the sciences includes a degree and post graduate in molecular biology, biochemistry, genetics and computer science.
> Book time in with Helen to find out how she can help solve your problems through data.
