U Ser Needs Elicitation via Analytic Hierarchy Process ( Ahp ) . a Case Study on a C T Scanner

Abstract: elicitation of user needs is a crucial step before medical device design and purchasing. Nonetheless, user needs elicitation is often based on qualitative methods, whose findings are difficult to integrate into medical information in decision making. This paper describes an application of AHP to support user need elicitation in a public hospital. The case study is the acquisition and use of a new CT scanner. elicitation of user needs is a crucial step before medical device design and purchasing. Nonetheless, user needs elicitation is often based on qualitative methods, whose findings are difficult to integrate into medical information in decision making. This paper describes an application of AHP to support user need elicitation in a public hospital. The case study is the acquisition and use of a new CT scanner. Methods: AHP was used to design a hierarchy of 12 needs, grouped into 4 homogenous categories, and to prepare a paper questionnaire, which was submitted to 5 clinicians, each with more than 20 years of experience, different specializations, and working in different scenarios in the same public hospital. Results: although safety and performance were considered the most important issues, user needs changed according to different scenario. In elective surgery, the top five most important needs were: spatial resolution, processing software, radiation dose, patient monitoring, and contrast medium. In emergency, the top five most important needs were: patient monitoring, radiation dose, contrast medium control, speed run, spatial resolution. Conclusions: AHP effectively supported user need elicitation, helping to develop an analytic and intelligible framework of decision making. User needs varied according to working scenario (elective versus emergency) more than clinical specialization. This should be considered before choosing whether to allocate budgets for medical devices according to clinical functions or according to hospital units.