Development and Evaluation of Dental Image Exchange and Management System: A User-Centered Perspective

Introduction: Systems that exist in the hospital or clinic settings are capable of providing services in the physical environment. These systems (e.g., Picture Archiving and communication systems) provide remote service for patients. To design such systems, we need some unique methods such as software development life cycle and different methods such as prototyping. Clinical setting: This study designs an image exchange system in the private dental sector of Urmia city using user-centered methods and prototyping. Methods: Information was collected based on each stage's software development life cycle. Interviews and observations were used to gather user-needs data, such as object-oriented programming for developing a Prototype. Results: The users' needs were determined to consider at the beginning. Ease of use, security, and mobile apps were their most essential needs. Then, the prototype was designed and evaluated in the focus group session. These steps continued until users were satisfied in the focus group. Eventually, after the users' consent, the prototype became the final system. Discussion: Instant access to Information, volunteering, user interface design, and usefulness were the most critical variables users considered. The advantage of this system also includes less radiation to the patient due to not losing and missing the clips of the patient's images. Conclusion: The success of such a system requires the consideration of end-users needs and their application to the system. In addition to this system, having an electronic health record can improve the treatment process and improve the work of the medical staff.