Presentation
SE Habla Español: Lessons Learned From Conducting Usability Studies With Native Spanish Speakers in the U.S.
DescriptionMedical device manufacturers in the U.S. routinely design devices with consideration for unique patient characteristics such as hand dexterity, vision impairment, and related co-morbidities. We have recently expanded these typical characteristics considered in the device development process to also include language as a distinct user characteristic.
Recognizing the importance of user characteristics prevalent among non-English-speaking user populations, we have sought to ensure that individuals, whose native language is not English, are duly represented in all aspects of the device development process. By working with Spanish-only speaking individuals in our client’s human factors program, we have been able to adapt product labeling and training materials to account for idiomatic expressions, language-specific terminology for device constituent parts, and the integration of respectful cultural practices when interviewing and developing materials for both males and females of other cultures. This presentation will discuss lessons learned from the various activities undertaken to support our overarching goals: users’ comprehension, as well as safe and effective use.
Specifically, we will discuss our experience with developing materials in non-U.S. English languages using back translation (also known as reverse translation), recruiting non-English-speaking representative individuals for usability studies, and conducting research to ensure the study participants, interviewers and the client all understand the proceedings.
Although it is often assumed that developing materials in English for the U.S. market would be sufficient, our research across the country suggests that well-researched materials developed in additional languages should become a “must-have” instead of “nice-to-have” in the development process. Beyond sharing our learnings, we aim to be the strongest advocates for conducting usability studies that account for native language differences, and we maintain that consideration of users’ unique characteristics is essential to creating systems that truly work for humans.
Recognizing the importance of user characteristics prevalent among non-English-speaking user populations, we have sought to ensure that individuals, whose native language is not English, are duly represented in all aspects of the device development process. By working with Spanish-only speaking individuals in our client’s human factors program, we have been able to adapt product labeling and training materials to account for idiomatic expressions, language-specific terminology for device constituent parts, and the integration of respectful cultural practices when interviewing and developing materials for both males and females of other cultures. This presentation will discuss lessons learned from the various activities undertaken to support our overarching goals: users’ comprehension, as well as safe and effective use.
Specifically, we will discuss our experience with developing materials in non-U.S. English languages using back translation (also known as reverse translation), recruiting non-English-speaking representative individuals for usability studies, and conducting research to ensure the study participants, interviewers and the client all understand the proceedings.
Although it is often assumed that developing materials in English for the U.S. market would be sufficient, our research across the country suggests that well-researched materials developed in additional languages should become a “must-have” instead of “nice-to-have” in the development process. Beyond sharing our learnings, we aim to be the strongest advocates for conducting usability studies that account for native language differences, and we maintain that consideration of users’ unique characteristics is essential to creating systems that truly work for humans.
Event Type
Oral Presentations
TimeMonday, March 2310:30am - 10:52am EDT
LocationGramercy
Medical and Drug Delivery Devices