MedTech IoT: Device + App

Individual work (app) and group work (device) as a part of a team at zenit.

My role: coordinating the interaction aspect of the solution, designing and running the ideation workshop, designing and running usability tests, app design

Tools: Miro, Figma, Canva

The task was to create a simple and usable mobile application for medical staff in elderly care, which would serve as a complementary user interface to the oximetry and temperature measuring device. The app, the device, and the cloud for storing measurement and patient data operate as an IoT and should enable synchronous communication between all three elements. The concept is grounded in the idea of performing oximetry and temperature measurements to set the individual reference values as a base for assessment of future measurement results.

Required features

Enabling inputting a patient’s ID number
Showcasing measurement values
Showcasing reference values if there is sufficient data
Enabling discarding values or saving them as reference values
Operating simultaneously with the measuring device

Constraints

The app will be developed in client’s own low-code software, what restricts the graphical user interface to GUI elements and logic which are accessible in the software
GUI must be adjusted to be displayed on iPhone
The app should be intuitive and simple for use among people with varied digital literacy
The app should enable efficient and convenient simultaneous use of the measuring device
The app is not meant for commercial use but for testing in reference groups

Methodology

The design process has been executed in line with principles of user-centered design. The define and develop phases were conducted in accordance with the double diamond design process. The define phase started with a non-structured interview with the client and potential users, which resulted in formulating design opportunities. The ideation phase started with sketches and wireframes made in whiteboard software and was strictly grounded in the previously defined design opportunities and the materials provided by the client, which were setting constraints to the design. The user flow that was made covered both levels of the interaction – using the app simultaneously with the measuring device – to define touch points and take all the aspects of usability into account. The prototype was made in Figma and included multiple iterations based on the consultations with the client and the programmers.

Solutions

Mirroring the state of the device in the app enables convenient simultaneous operations and switching focus between devices
Simplified app flow to avoid the confusing action of choosing a measurement type
Standby screen that informs about the system’s readiness for starting the measurement allows to pick a convenient time for this action
Patient’s individual ID number displayed at the top allows to easily confirm that the intended ID number has been typed in
Progress circle allowing to estimate how much time is left to be holding the device against the patient’s skin
Confirmation screen and error screen to indicate successful or failed measurement
Clear way of showcasing reference values and measurement values; information about lack of sufficient data and a prompt to perform more measurements
Following accessibility principles regarding colors, contrast, and placement of the GUI elements
Consistent and minimalist style which corresponds to the client’s brand guidelines
Instructions, CTAs and prompts to minimize users’ memory load and allow for intuitive use among users with varied digital literacy
Primary and secondary buttons and descriptive button labels allow to find the way in the app flow, take a step back as well as recognize and recover from errors

Struggles

The initial suggestion from a client was to enable users to choose between performing a comparative measurement and a standard measurement. This solution turned out to be confusing for users. Therefore I suggested simplifying the app flow and skipping the action of choosing a measurement type, as after confirming the ID number, the system already recognizes if and what measurements had been previously taken.
The significant time – 15 seconds – that the measurements take to perform, turned out to be a struggle for testers. Providing the progress circle makes it possible to estimate how much time is left to be holding the device against the patient’s skin. According to usability testing, this solution significantly improves the experience of waiting for the measurement to be done.
Due to GDPR, patients' names cannot be used and random ID numbers are used instead. Typing in the wrong/unknown ID number is equal to setting up a new patient account. Therefore, the patient’s individual ID number is displayed at the top throughout the whole process. This allows for a user to easily find it, read it and confirm that the intended ID number has been typed in.

Future work

Adjusting the GUI to be displayed on the screen size of iPhone 8
Adjusting the showcasing of measurement values and other elements to avoid necessity to scroll, while maintaining the significant font size and transparency of communication
Adding visual/textual instructions for users on how to successfully perform the measurement
Usability testing with potential users
Adjusting space for adding elements and features to enable future development for commercial use without significant changes to the app design and logic