USABILITY AND EFFICIENCY - THE HELIOS APPROACH TO DEVELOPMENT OF USERINTERFACES

This paper describes the user interface related services of the HELIOS project. The design and implementation of efficient user interfaces i s a prerequisite for successful introduction of computer support in he alth care ward units. Design principles must be based on a basic under standing of cognitive aspects of human-computer interaction, as well a s on detailed knowledge about the specific needs and requirements of t he health care professionals. In the HELIOS project, a style guide for design of user interfaces has been developed. The style guide defines detailed design guide-lines together with a set of interface elements specified for the ward domain. Development tools for construction and implementation of user interfaces to ward applications have been deve loped and integrated into the HELIOS SEE. The tools are based on the T eleUSE product, which has been extended and adjusted to the HELIOS spe cifications. A set of new widgets, designed to implement health care i nterface elements, has been incorporated into the development tool.