LungSounds@UA interface and multimedia database

Abstract

The development of graphical user interfaces (GUIs) has been an emergent demand in the area of healthcare technologies. Specifically for respiratory healthcare there is a lack of tools to produce a complete multimedia database, where respiratory sounds and other clinical data are available in a single repository. This is essential for a complete patients' assessment and management in research/clinical settings. Therefore, this study aimed to develop a usable interface to collect and organise respiratory-related data in a single multimedia database. A GUI, named LungSounds@UA, composed by a multilayer of windows, was developed. The usability of the user-centred interface was assessed in a pilot study and in an evaluation session. The users testified the utility of the application and its great potential for research/clinical settings. However, some drawbacks were identified, such as a certain difficulty to intuitively navigate in the great amount of the available information, which will inform future developments.