Authors (including presenting author) :
Lam EL(1), Tsoi SCT(2), Leung YWN(2), Fan SYC(1), Liu HKA(1)
Affiliation :
(1)Department of Pharmacy, Pamela Youde Nethersole Eastern Hospital, (2) Nethersole Clinical Simulation Training Centre, Pamela Youde Nethersole Eastern Hospital
Introduction :
The drug shelf label is an important element in the pharmacy dispensing process of drug picking and restocking. A well-designed drug shelf label would allow easier visual search and information processing hence enhance dispensing efficiency and medication safety. By measuring eye movements and conventional performance metrics using the eye-tracking technology, the effectiveness of a drug shelf label design could be measured and analyzed in a quantitative manner.
Objectives :
The objective of the study was to use the eye-tracking technology to compare the current drug shelf label against the new drug shelf label designs based on visual processing and evaluate if the new designs would lead to improved performance metrics for dispensing staff carrying out routine dispensing procedures.
Methodology :
A single-center observational study was conducted with 17 pharmacy staff. The study on current label and 2 revamp versions (Option A and Option B) were separated into 3 phases conducted 1 week apart. Participants were required to dispense 12 drug labels as normal operation while wearing an eye-tracking device. Device measured quantitative primary outcomes included user response time, fixation count and fixation duration. Secondary outcomes included fixation proportion, pupil diameter changes and post-study feedback using Likert Scale and NASA TLX questionnaires measuring user-friendliness and task load. One-way repeated measures ANOVA was used for statistical analysis.
Result & Outcome :
Primary outcomes showed statistical significance, with Option B resulting in superior results. The mean fixation count was reduced compared to baseline in both Option A and B (Baseline vs A and B: 14.039 vs 13.221 and 10.632) (F2,32 = 6.11, p < 0.05). The average fixation duration per item was significantly lower than baseline (3533ms) in Option B (3090ms), while highest in Option A (3835ms) (F2,32 = 4.14, p < 0.05). Fixation Proportion indicated a similarly higher percentage in Option A and B (76.95 vs 77.82 and 81.89%) (F2,32 = 4.80, p < 0.05). Mean pupil diameter in Option A and Option B showed a reduction (4.418 vs 4.235 and 4.131mm), with statistical significance (F2,22 = 19.2, p < 0.001).
The statistically significant results indicated Option B had the best shelf label design for ease of reading with features including enlarged font size, critical information placement and enhanced contrast with the use of white text against coloured background. The promising results in this study might provide the basis for further insights in the use of eye tracking to enhance other medication use process and related training on medication safety.
