Problem

Digitalizing triage converts a sensitive human-human (typically healthcare seeker to nurse) interaction to a complex human-computer interaction, creating a challenging problem for technologists, caregivers and designers to solve. Yet, it is an essential step in enabling healthcare providers to scale up efficiency and treatment quality. Since no standardized triage digitalization guidelines exist, there is great diversity in the solutions of the many design challenges that exist within triage digitalization

Solution

In this project the team researched existing healthcare services in order to create design patterns that can be used in forthcoming design of digital triage applications.

Contribution

Four design patterns that cannot yet be revealed, including not only the concept but also related risks and problems of use and misuse.

Main obstacle

Moving in sensitive research areas is an obstacle in itself that requires an ethical mindset. It also calls for designers to be humble in their approach, understanding that their actions have implications on peoples' mental health.

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Design patterns for digital healthcare

Client: Drive Sweden

Client: CAISR Health

Role: UX Designer

Year: 2021

The project

Studies show that more young adults are struggling with mental health issues than ever before. In addition, the young often describe the digital triage as too messy, putting too much pressure on the individual in defining conditions and approve consent for usage of private information. In this CAISR Health project, I analysed existing digital triage apps to extract design pre-patterns which can be used to create design principles for the rapid-growing field of digital healthcare.

What is out there?

In a fast-moving area, such as the digital healthcare, we often find a lack in existing knowledge or standard approach. In order to make sense of what exists, our team broadened our view by analysing digital marketplaces such as Google Play and AppStore. Apps were downloaded, and questions were asked. Who is responsible? Who has agency? Who decides on what happens next?

Understanding logic and structure through pattern-making

By extracting the structure, logic, flow and visual representation of each app, we soon realised the potential of patterns as a way of understanding why a specific section was designed in a certain way. Briefly presented, these patterns contain an introduction to the service, a health issue category selection, a health issue specification and the filing of a case.

Shift in requirements

What the project highlights is the shift of responsibility, therefore the requirements needed from healthcare seekers which may enforce a risk-behaviour that can harm people rather than easing their way to care.