Abstract: In this study, we investigated the technical feasibility of developing and deploying web-based tools for addressing day-to-day reviewer needs at the FDA. Interviews with reviewers highlighted the need for greater proof-reading, document retrieval and referencing capabilities within the context of word processing tasks. In response, we developed a Microsoft Word add-in and a companion web app to provide autocompletion of common keywords and search capabilities while a reviewer authors a document. A Heuristic Evaluation (HE) was conducted. The findings highlighted several areas of improvement that we plan to address in our next release.

Describe the new knowledge and additional skills the participant will gain after attending your presentation.: The participant will learn about an initiative to develop web-based tools for drug reviewers at the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). Knowledge Management (KM) Reviewer Tools is a set of web-apps that we developed for supporting day-to-day word processing needs within the agency. Interviews with reviewers highlighted the need for greater proof-reading, document retrieval and referencing capabilities during word processing tasks. In response, we developed a Microsoft Word add-in and a companion web app to provide autocompletion of common keywords and search capabilities while a reviewer authors a document. We conducted a Heuristic Evaluation (HE) was conducted. The resulting software architecture and our usability findings may helpful to anyone developing similar tools within a governmental or healthcare organization.

Authors:

Jonathan Bidwell (Presenter)
US Food and Drug Administration (FDA)

Kara Whelply, US Food and Drug Administration (FDA)
Sophia Shepard, US Food and Drug Administration (FDA)
John Hariadi, US Food and Drug Administration (FDA)