01 Discover

I performed a comprehensive competitive analysis of primary direct and indirect competitors to gain deeper insights into their existing platforms, assessing their offerings and identifying areas ripe for enhancement.

eClinicalWorks, DrChrono, Cerner Ambulatory, and Athenahealth all offer comprehensive EHR solutions with various strengths, such as operational efficiency, customization, and interoperability. Common weaknesses across these systems include steep learning curves, cumbersome processes, inconsistent customer support, and technical glitches that impact user experience and workflow efficiency. Addressing these issues could significantly enhance usability and satisfaction for healthcare providers using these platforms.

I conducted qualitative user interviews with a cohort of five participants, all professionals within the healthcare field, spanning an age range from 24 to 65 years old. These interviews provided valuable firsthand insights into their experiences, perspectives, and needs within the healthcare sector.

Affinity Diagrams

Participants expressed frustration with the current system's reliance on multiple tabs and screens, advocating for a more streamlined interface. They emphasized the need for a notification system to alert them of new orders, reducing the need for constant manual checks, and suggested enhancing readability through color-coded organization for different medication types and distinct sections for information.

Additionally, participants highlighted the need for a comprehensive summary of medications due, including overviews for each 8-hour shift and a daily snapshot with timings, along with a clear medication schedule overview displaying all due times. Improved notifications, even if flashy and annoying, were also deemed necessary for better user engagement. The system ensures medication accuracy through scanning, flags vital signs for quick reference, and includes a chat feature for seamless communication among healthcare professionals.

HMW create a user-friendly interface for mobile EMR systems that simplifies data input and navigation for healthcare professionals?

Ideation

The user flow for the Electronic Medical Record (EMR) system begins with a healthcare provider logging into the application. Once logged in, the provider navigates through the patient list, typically organized by ward or department, to locate the relevant patient's record. Upon selecting a patient, the provider reviews the summary page, which typically displays essential patient information such as demographics, vital signs, and current medications. After reviewing the summary, the healthcare provider proceeds to administer medication, a critical task often facilitated through the EMR system. These interactions—logging in, navigating the patient list, reviewing the summary page, and administering medication—constitute the core user flow for healthcare providers interacting with the EMR system, encompassing key steps in patient care management within clinical settings.

To initiate the design process, I started by crafting a low-fidelity wireframe. Drawing inspiration from existing healthcare interfaces available online, I also referenced the primary Electronic Medical Record (EMR) system used widely across hospitals nationwide, EPIC. These sources served as valuable references for understanding industry standards and user expectations. Subsequently, based on insights gained from the low-fidelity wireframe and incorporating design principles gleaned from EPIC and other healthcare interfaces, I progressed to develop high-fidelity wireframes. This iterative approach allowed for refining the initial concepts, ensuring the resulting high-fidelity wireframes were tailored to meet the specific needs and preferences of healthcare professionals.

Mood Board

Style Tile

Building upon the foundation of the existing Epic system, I integrated user feedback to address pain points and enhance usability. This iterative approach involved brainstorming and ideation to generate new ideas and features aimed at improving the overall user experience within the Epic environment. By leveraging user feedback and insights gained from testing, I aimed to create a refined and optimized interface that would better meet the needs and preferences of healthcare professionals interacting with the Epic EMR system.

One significant challenge I encountered was effectively incorporating all the necessary data into the Epic system. The current setup includes three toolbars, a sidebar, and a myriad of categories and subcategories, which can be overwhelming. I focused on streamlining the interface to ensure that all essential information for healthcare professionals to access and safely administer medications was easily accessible. By reorganizing and prioritizing this critical data, I aimed to reduce the time previously spent navigating the complex Epic system, which detracted from patient care and contributed to higher burnout rates among healthcare providers. This optimization not only enhances workflow efficiency but also supports better patient outcomes and provider well-being.

High-Fidelity Wireframe

The initial iteration of Epic 2.0 served as a prototype for user testing, allowing participants to interact with the interface to evaluate its functionality, usability, and effectiveness. By incorporating real user feedback and observations, valuable insights were gained for improving and refining the interface. This iterative process ensured that subsequent versions would better align with user needs and expectations.

Task 1:

All users successfully logged into the app from the homepage, indicating a clear and accessible login process that contributed to overall user satisfaction and usability.

Task 2:

Participants successfully selected the requested patient, reflecting positively on the app's design, including the ease of scanning the patient list, intuitive selection process, and responsive interface that met accessibility standards.

Task 3:

Four out of five participants successfully selected the medication icon, suggesting its effective design and placement, though one participant's difficulty highlights the need for further refinement to ensure a consistent user experience.

Hero Page

Patient List

Patient Summary

Medication Administration Record