Comparison of Wizard-Style and Exploratory-Selective Graphical User Interfaces for Clinical Registry Data Entry: A Randomized Crossover Usability Study Using Simulated Cases

Efficient and accurate data entry is essential for ensuring high-quality clinical registries; however, conventional electronic data-capture (EDC) interfaces impose a substantial workload on healthcare professionals. This study aimed to compare a wizard-style graphical user interface (WS-GUI) with a conventional exploratory/selective graphical user interface (ES-GUI) for registry data-entry tasks. Specifically, the study involved twenty healthcare professionals who completed standardized simulated registry data-entry tasks using both interfaces in a randomized within-participant crossover design. Data entry time, input accuracy, and perceived workload were evaluated based on the task completion time, error counts, and the National Aeronautics and Space Administration Task Load Index (NASA-TLX). The WS-GUI was associated with shorter data entry time, fewer errors, and lower perceived workload than the ES-GUI. The largest workload differences were observed for effort, and mental and physical demands. These findings suggest that a wizard-style interface may improve the efficiency, accuracy, and usability of clinical registry data entry.