Human Computer Interaction

Human–computer interaction (HCI) is the study, planning and design of the interaction between people (users) and computers and understanding how technologies fit into and support everyday work and life contexts. This work strand involves working with staff in GP surgeries and using a range of methods to understand:

We observed how electronic records are used in GP surgeries and we carried out interviews with staff to find out what issues affect record keeping practice. We recorded real patient consultations with surgery staff to see what records they make. We worked with medical actors who played the part of ‘standard’ patients having consultations with doctors. Afterwards, we did ‘walk-throughs’ of the records that were made, with the staff who made them, to find out why they were created in the way they were. We have collected many hours of video data and notes.

We know that records vary for many reasons. Using a standard patient with a standard condition enables us to analyse the resulting data to see if reasons that are unrelated to the patient alter the way records are made, for example if using a different computer system results in a different balance of coded and free text in the resulting record.

For further information please click for the HCI publications

Workstream Participants:
Geraldine Fitzpatrick; Flis Henwood; Lesley Axelrod; Eric Harris; Helen Smith; Greta Rait. We would also like to thank all staff from our participating GP surgeries for their contributions.

Relevant Links:
Interactive Systems Group, University of Sussex
Human Centred Technology Lab, University of Sussex
Department of Informatics, University of Sussex
Institute of Design and Assessment of Technology, Vienna University of Technology
Playout Training Company
Social Informatics Research Unit, School of Applied Social science, University of Brighton