User roles and user guidance: analysing the relation between user participation and the development of a medical training system

This research explores the development process of a VR and web-based medical training system from a user-centred perspective. It highlights the importance of user participation in this context by analysing two case studies concerned with the development of a VR and web-based medical training system for Spinal Anaesthesia. This research investigates who should be considered as users, when and why users should be involved in the development process and how to utilise their guidance efficiently. In order to analyse these aspects, empirical data was collected from the case studies by applying participant observation, document analysis and interviews. The analysis of the data is based on literature discussing users and the development of computer systems in Information Systems (IS) and Human-Computer Interaction (HCI). The findings illustrate the relation between user participation and the development process of a VR and web-based medical training system. User groups, along with their input and degrees of participation and influence are classified. The findings show how a democratic arrangement between users and developers is beneficial and maybe even mandatory in order to utilise the users’ guidance efficiently. In this arrangement, the use of prototypes is instrumental in bridging the expertise and knowledge gap between users and developers. The results of this research may aid other research teams developing VR and web-based medical training system in deciding if, why and how to involve relevant user groups in the overall development process.