Project three

Teckro

(2022, 4 months)

Patient App

Overview

We developed an app to improve the patient experience in clinical trials. Existing communication options were slow, so we aimed to create a user-friendly solution that reduced manual effort and improved patient engagement.

Responsibilities

Conducted research, user testing, and workshops.
Designed the user interface.

Requirements

Ensure patient compliance with study instructions.
Enhance patient engagement.
Reduce the manual burden on site staff.
Follow regulatory standards around patients and data storing limitations.

Project steps

Research & discovery

Define
& ideate

Wireframe & testing

Project conclusion

Key issues

Poor communication

Existing patient portals were slow and primarily desktop-bound, leading to low patient engagement and high drop-off rates.

Manual burden

Site staff were overwhelmed by administrative tasks, reducing their time for patient care.

Regulatory and Data Storage Constraints

Handling sensitive patient data required strict adherence to compliance, adding complexity to the design process.

Research and discovery

We studied the patient journey in clinical trials and investigated how our existing features could benefit patients. Personas and workshops helped us understand the needs of both patients and site staff.

Leveraging existing features

Given the fast-paced nature of this project, I conducted an examination of how our current features could be repurposed to benefit patients. The ability to repurpose features and components proved to be a valuable asset in the project's development.

Personas

Throughout the project, we focused on defining two primary user personas: patients and site staff. While the app is designed for patients, it's crucial to consider the responsibilities of the site staff, who are responsible for onboarding patients onto the app. This approach was aimed at ensuring a smooth onboarding process for site staff and enhancing overall user adoption.

Workshop

During the initial phase of the workshop, I encouraged open discussion to bring any concerns or challenges to the forefront. Once we had identified and addressed these concerns, we shifted the focus to fostering a more positive outlook on the project's potential. This shift in perspective helped boost team morale and enthusiasm for the project. It also created a sense of inclusiveness and ensured that the team felt valued throughout the project's design phase.

Patient persona

Site staff persona

Addressing concerns

Hopes and expectations

Define & Ideate

We designed a user-friendly profile creation process that ensured patient compliance with study instructions. The app benefited both patients and site staff by automating processes.

Our comprehensive solution

Our solution goes beyond merely ensuring compliance with protocol demands and regulatory requirements. It places a strong emphasis on enhancing the overall experience for patients and caregivers, facilitating seamless participation in end-to-end studies.

Both personas considered

Our app's primary objective is to empower patients by providing a clear understanding of study requirements, enabling them to provide informed consent confidently and assisting them in staying compliant. Additionally, our app offers significant advantages for site staff. It automates various processes, significantly reducing the manual workload on site staff and ensuring that enrolment targets are met efficiently.

A unified and compliant solution

In essence, our app provides a unified and compliant flow of data that not only enhances the overall study experience for patients but also streamlines the tasks of site staff, contributing to a more effective and successful clinical trial process.

Wireframe & testing

Wireframes

Home: This section serves as the hub for all your trial-related files and documents.
Contacts: In the Contact section, users can swiftly access contact information and essential trial details.
More: The More section is designed to house user profiles, privacy settings, and a direct link to contact our support teams, providing a comprehensive and user-friendly experience.

Testing

When we test within our team, it's like having our own little quality check before showing it to the world. We get to spot any issues, tweak things, and gather feedback from our colleagues. It's all about making sure our design works well, looks good, and gets the message across clearly. While we might not get the full picture like we would with external testing, doing this internal round helps us catch a lot of stuff early on.

Wireframes

Screenshots from testing sessions

Project conclusion

The app provided patients with easy access to information, despite some constraints due to time limitations.

Key learnings

Designing a clinical trial app for patients undergoing new trials necessitated considering users of all age groups and various disability types. This experience reinforced the idea that every user, regardless of their specific needs, deserves access to the same content as others.
Design systems proved to be a powerful tool for streamlining work. Maintaining consistency with components not only expedites development but also simplifies the design process, resulting in a more efficient workflow.
Collecting research at an early stage and maintaining consistent communication with the team are vital aspects that significantly facilitate the design process, particularly in projects with tight deadlines and high demands.
Dealing with complex and demanding projects that impose tight feasibility constraints can lead to personal growth. This project, in particular, enhanced my skills as both a communicator and designer, demonstrating the value of overcoming challenges in professional development.

Impact of the design

Patients reported feeling more supported

Expressing that the app made trial participation easier and less stressful."

Site staff had positive feedback

Indicating that the app significantly lightened their administrative load, with some noting they were excited for patients to use the app."

Positive mentions during review meetings

They highlighted the app's ability to simplify compliance while still being user-friendly, which initially was seen as a major challenge.

Poor communication

Existing patient portals were slow and primarily desktop-bound, leading to low patient engagement and high drop-off rates.

Manual burden

Site staff were overwhelmed by administrative tasks, reducing their time for patient care.

Regulatory and Data Storage Constraints

Handling sensitive patient data required strict adherence to compliance, adding complexity to the design process.

Our comprehensive solution

Both personas considered

A unified and compliant solution

Patients reported feeling more supported

Expressing that the app made trial participation easier and less stressful."

Site staff had positive feedback

Indicating that the app significantly lightened their administrative load, with some noting they were excited for patients to use the app."

Positive mentions during review meetings

They highlighted the app's ability to simplify compliance while still being user-friendly, which initially was seen as a major challenge.

Best Before

Edenspiekermann

Char

Design West

The M word

District Spreads

Event work

FAT ÉIRE

Illustration