Designing Human Centered GeoVisualization application-the SanaViz-for telehealth users: A case study

Background: Public health data is typically organized by geospatial unit. GeoVisualization (GeoVis) allows users to see information visually on a map. Objectives: Examine telehealth users' perceptions towards existing public health GeoVis applications and obtains users' feedback about features important for the design and development of Human Centered GeoVis application «the SanaViz». Methods: We employed a cross sectional study design using mixed methods approach for this pilot study. Twenty users involved with the NUTES telehealth center at Federal University of Pernambuco (UFPE), Recife, Brazil were enrolled. Open and closed ended questionnaires were used to gather data. We performed audio recording for the interviews. Information gathered included socio-demographics, prior spatial skills and perception towards use of GeoVis to evaluate telehealth services. Card sorting and sketching methods were employed. Univariate analysis was performed for the continuous and categorical variables. Qualitative analysis was performed for open ended questions. Results: Existing Public Health GeoVis applications were difficult to use. Results found interaction features zooming, linking and brushing and representation features Google maps, tables and bar chart as most preferred GeoVis features. Conclusions: Early involvement of users is essential to identify features necessary to be part of the human centered GeoVis application «the SanaViz».