Identifying Medical Equipment Usability Issues from Social Media Reports

Traditional methods of investigating usability include usability tests, heuristic evaluations, surveys, and field methods. User self-reports of equipment problems such as through the FDA MAUDE database are also available, but there may be limited information reported. Often, people turn to social media to share stories and learn from others. In this study, the authors explored using social media as a means of identifying possible usability issues with medical devices and products. As a proof of concept, the authors focused on insulin pumps, continuous glucose monitors, and sleep apnea machines. Reports of medical equipment use issues were grouped into three categories: 1) correct instructions for product use, 2) apparently inadvertent incorrect instructions for use and 3) instructions that encouraged or could promote deliberate misuse. Each of these has different implications for designers, clinical product review committee members, and clinicians.