Book Review: Usability Testing of Medical Devices (2nd ed.)

The second edition of Usability Testing of Medical Devices is a clear and concise overview of all aspects of medical device usability testing. The authors give usable, real-world examples and guidance for the entire testing process, starting with the reasoning behind testing, through designing tests and writing test plans, to reporting and validation testing. Each chapter includes rationales and explanations, general and specific examples of tests and testing, and tips and reminders, with pop-out topics such as these:

Illustrating Test Plans

Should You Recruit Test Participants Through Advisory Panel Members?

Adding a Real-World Context to Hands-On Tasks

Ensuring Good Etiquette

Identifying Outliers During Pre-Test Training Sessions

I was particularly impressed with the chapter “Adding Realism,” in which the authors offer recipes for fake blood, discuss high- and low-cost options for simulating perceptual or physical disabilities, and finish with advice on how to set up a realistic workspace. I found this to be somewhat unique and extremely helpful.

The intended audience for this book includes biomedical, electrical, mechanical, and human factors engineers; marketing researchers and managers; user interface and user experience designers and planners; risk managers; program managers and planners; students and instructors; and medical device inventors, regulators, and purchasers.

This book is appropriate for all levels of reader, as the authors provide brief introductions to all topics while still offering advice and references for seasoned usability experts. It would be appropriate reading in almost any setting but particularly useful as a required text for a graduate-level class on medical usability testing. Furthermore, it is extremely well organized, such that at any given time, a specific topic may be perused without the necessity of reading the book cover to cover. In that way, the book can serve as a very helpful companion to practitioners at any stage of the medical device usability testing process.