Care Companion

Research

To understand the problems related to current healthcare management systems, I conducted a competitive audit followed by interviews with 5 participants to understand the problem more deeply.

Competitive Audit

To gauge Care Companions' market position, I analyzed two direct competitors and one indirect competitor. My assessment covered their mobile apps, focusing on key aspects: general info, initial impact, user interaction, visual appeal, and content quality. This examination revealed each competitor's strengths weaknesses, and vulnerabilities in the healthcare management app landscape.

Competitive Audit Report

After conducting the competitive audit, I created a report to summarize the findings and give a clear look at each competitor's marketing strategies, strengths, weaknesses as well as market gaps and opportunities.

User Research

I interviewed five users to uncover pain points. Targeted questions probed key areas, yielding rich insights. This focused approach enabled comprehensive analysis across critical categories.

Pain Points

With the competitive audit and user research study, I understood the pain points of the user and came up with the following objectives.

• Simplified booking process - Participants mentioned as a major factor in their ability to schedule appointments, with working professionals and caregivers particularly affected by this.

• Limited appointment availability - Provide real-time availability and estimated wait times to reduce uncertainty.

• Provide vehicle comparison tools

• Allow users the ability to book a camp site compatible for their selected vehicle

Persona

Drawing from the valuable insights gathered through the competitive audit and user interviews, I developed a detailed user persona and journey map. This process allowed me to visualize the user's experience and ensure that the design directly addressed their pain points, ultimately crafting a seamless, user-centered solution.

Problem Statement:

Sarah is a working mom who needs a quick and easy way to check in for her doctor's appointments because she's always short on time.

User Journey Maps

Mapping Sarah's user journey highlighted the importance of a seamless check-in experience for users, underscoring the value of a dedicated app to streamline doctor’s office visits.

Paper Wireframes

Crazy 8's kickstarted my design process. Eight rapid-fire paper wireframes, one minute each. This whirlwind exploration sparked diverse ideas and configurations. I cherry-picked the best elements, weaving in research insights like prominent appointment booking. The result? Refined paper wireframes that captured the essence of efficiency and user needs, all without wasting precious time on less promising concepts.

Digital Wireframes

Moving from paper to digital, wireframes were designed to represent the information architecture more clearly.

‍Low-fidelity Prototype

From wireframes to interaction, I crafted a low-fidelity prototype. This lean model, built on user flow, opened the door to early usability testing. It marked a crucial step from concept to testable app.

Usability Studies

To refine the app design, I conducted two usability studies with a group of five participants in each study. These studies focused on understanding how users interact with the app and identifying pain points in the user flow. Key findings revealed that users highly valued a streamlined check-in process and the ability to perform tasks at their own pace. Feedback was incorporated into design iterations, resulting in improved navigation, enhanced accessibility features, and a more intuitive overall user experience

Round 1 Findings 

• Users want a streamlined check-in experience
• Users want clarity on the information gathered and the security of their information
• Users want to be able to schedule multiple appointments at once

Round 2 Findings

• Users want better scheduling options for recurring appointments
• Users want a calendar option when scheduling for more clarity

Design System

Before proceeding to the mock-ups, I developed a design system grounded in color theory and the WCAG 2.0 design guidelines. I selected a strong blue and green color to evoke a clean design that is also calming and frequently used in healthcare settings. For the primary font, I chose Work Sans due to its readability and clean, modern design.

Mockups

After conducting the usability study, I applied the design system and aimed to address key user insights by enhancing the app's functionality. I added a new scheduling page featuring a calendar and a recurring booking option to streamline the appointment-setting process. This change directly responds to users' desire for an efficient way to manage multiple appointments at once. My thought process centered on improving user convenience and ensuring the new features were intuitive and aligned with users' needs for clarity and accessibility in their interactions with the app.

_{*Left image is before usability study, right image is after usability study}

Based on the usability study findings, I added a medical information disclaimer page before accessing the account and medical information sections. This change addresses users' concerns about the clarity and security of their information. The disclaimer provides transparency about data usage and privacy, enhancing user trust and confidence. My thought process focused on creating a clear, informative, and reassuring experience for users, ensuring they understand the importance and security of their personal medical data before proceeding.

_{*Left image is before usability study, right image is after usability study}

High-fidelity Prototype

From booking to check-in, Care Companion streamlines your medical visits. This refined app integrates recurring appointments, profile management, and privacy controls. User feedback shapes its intuitive design, catering to frequent doctor-goers. With just a few taps, patients navigate a smooth, efficient interface. Opt out of online check-ins if preferred. Care Companion's high-fidelity prototype delivers enhanced functionality, responsive features, and a transparent data security agreement. It's a fully realized solution, committed to diverse healthcare needs.

Color Contrast

To ensure the website complies with WCAG 2.0 standards for color contrast, I developed a color palette that adheres to AA or higher requirements. Utilizing the Figma plugin "Use Contrast" I verified that these standards were consistently met across the entire responsive website. This approach enhances accessibility for users with visual impairments.

Recurring Booking

Introduced a recurring booking feature to streamline the scheduling process for users with chronic conditions or ongoing treatments, allowing them to easily set up regular appointments. This feature reduces the need for repetitive manual scheduling, making the app more accessible and convenient for those with high-frequency needs.

Text Hierarchy

While the design system facilitates faster implementation and creation of the overall design, it also supports the establishment of a structured text hierarchy. This hierarchy enables users to easily distinguish between different sections and types of information, while also providing a clear structure for screen readers.

Text Alternatives

Many users with impairments require text that can be converted into other formats. To ensure accessibility for all users, I created alternative text (alt text) for all images, which not only enhances user experience but also aids developers and ensures compliance with WCAG standards.

Learnings and outcomes

• Importance of iterative testing

As I tested the app I realized how important it was to understand the user's perspective and better understand my short falls in create a comprehensive app at first, allowing me to modify the app accordingly.

• Importance of user research

User insights shaped the app's evolution. Sleek design alone falls short; thorough research fuels real-world functionality. Early missteps taught me: true usability stems from understanding our audience.

• Functionality can be simple

Simple solutions often yield surprising results. While I envisioned complex appointment-booking features, users gravitated towards a basic recurring reservation button. This understanding emerged during usability testing, reshaping my design approach and highlighting the power of streamlined functionality. Sometimes, less truly is more in user experience design.

Next Steps

• To further validate the app’s effectiveness I would continue conducting user testing to uncover areas of improvement, particularly with a broader audience. This would ensure the app performs well for individuals across various demographics and medical needs.

• Based on user feedback, I would consider adding features such as a tailored health resource section, similar to a personalized WebMD experience, where users can access information specific to their medical conditions and broaden their understanding of overall health.

• I would explore integrating the app with other health-related platforms, such as fitness trackers or electronic health records, to provide a more comprehensive and connected healthcare experience for users.