EnvisionRx: A User-Centered App for Simplified Medication Management

Case Study: Enhancing User-Centered Healthcare Technology Through UCD Methodology

Introduction

This case study outlines the design journey and UX enhancements for the "EnvisionRx App," a healthcare application aimed at improving medication management and adherence for users. As a UX designer, the project was approached using User-Centered Design (UCD) principles to ensure accessibility, usability, and functionality while catering to a diverse user base.

Project Overview

Objective: To create a user-friendly mobile application for efficient medication tracking and reminders, addressing common challenges faced by patients managing their prescriptions.

Key Features:

• Secure login and intuitive navigation.

• Medication schedule and tracking.

• Refill reminders integrated with pharmacies.

• Detailed medication insights and usage history.

User-Centered Design (UCD) Process

The UCD methodology was applied across the project lifecycle, emphasizing iterative user feedback and testing.

1. Research & Empathy Building

   • User Interviews: Engaged with 30 participants across different demographics (age, tech-savviness, health conditions).

   • Key Insights:

     • Elderly users require larger fonts and voice-guided interactions.

     • Young professionals prioritize fast navigation and minimalistic design.

     • Caregivers need multi-profile management capabilities.

2. Define

   • Developed user personas:

     • Elderly Individual: Needs simplified views with fewer steps.

     • Busy Professional: Seeks seamless integration with wearable devices.

     • Caregiver: Requires visibility across multiple users' medication schedules.

   • Defined primary user goals:

     • Quick medication input and retrieval.

     • Real-time reminders and alerts.

     • Comprehensive reporting for health consultations.

3. Ideation

   • Brainstormed solutions leveraging common pain points.

   • Created low-fidelity wireframes focusing on simplicity and clarity.

   • Prioritized accessibility and error prevention during ideation.

4. Prototyping

   • Built interactive prototypes with the following key enhancements:

     • Dynamic Color Themes: Light and dark modes for different lighting conditions.

     • Voice Commands: For users with limited mobility.

     • Gamification Elements: Rewards for adherence to medication schedules.

5. Testing

   • Conducted usability tests with 20 participants.

   • Key Metrics:

     • Task Completion Rate: 95%.

     • Time-on-Task: Reduced by 30% after usability improvements.

     • User Satisfaction: 4.8/5 on ease of use.

Key Design Decisions

• Navigation Framework:

  • Designed with a bottom-tab navigation system for easy access to primary features.

  • Integrated breadcrumbs for complex flows to aid orientation.

• Accessibility Enhancements:

  • Implemented WCAG-compliant colors for better visibility.

  • Added screen reader support for visually impaired users.

• Personalization:

  • Users can customize notification times and tones.

  • Multi-profile support allows caregivers to switch between patient accounts seamlessly.

• Feedback Integration:

  • Post-launch analytics were reviewed to refine underperforming features.

Final Design Enhancements

• Login Screen: Introduced biometric authentication for security.

• Medication Dashboard: Featured a calendar view with medication logs.

• Reminders: Smart notifications with options for snoozing or marking as completed.

• Insights: Graphical representation of medication adherence trends.

Visual Representation

• Wireframes: Highlighted iterative improvements after user feedback.

• Prototypes: Showcased the interactive elements, including animations.

• Design Systems: Documented consistent typography, spacing, and components for scalability.

Impact

• Increased User Retention: 80% of users continued using the app after three months.

• Enhanced Adherence: Medication adherence rates improved by 25%.

• Positive Feedback:

  • “The reminders have been a lifesaver for me!” – Elderly user.

  • “I love how easy it is to manage my family’s prescriptions.” – Caregiver.

Conclusion

The "EnvisionRx App" exemplifies the power of UCD in creating solutions that meet and exceed user expectations. The app has become a vital tool for medication management by combining iterative feedback with usability best practices.