Computerized patient education in kidney transplantation: Testing the content validity and usability of the Organ Transplant Information System (OTIS™)

Objective: To test content validity and usability of the Organ Transplant Information System (OTIS (TM)). Methods: This study used qualitative methods. The purposive sample consisted of 8 clinicians and 14 patients. Clinicians rated the content's congruence with current medical practice. We used the clinicians' evaluations to revise the OTIS (TM) content; then each patient evaluated the revised OTIS (TM) modules using the thinking-aloud method and via structured interviews. Descriptive statistics were applied for demographic and clinical data, and for the clinicians' ratings. Content data usability and validity were analyzed using Content Analysis. Results: Clinicians identified deviations from current medical practice regarding content, language, and information structure of OTIS (TM). Seven rated OTIS (TM) as non-relevant for implementation into clinical practice. Five rated the program's content - with the stipulated adaptations - as important for patients. All patients encountered usability problems, mostly regarding the program's interface. Emerging categories from the patients' perspectives vis a vis content were knowledge acquisition, illness management, and partnership forming. Conclusion: Problems arose regarding OTIS's (TM) initial content validity and usability, demonstrating the need to establish the presented material's content validity and usability by involving clinicians and patients before its clinical implementation. Practice implications: High quality computer-learning-software is needed to enhance patient self-management. (c) 2008 Elsevier Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.