Medic
Overview
Imagine managing your health with just a tap on your phone. The Medic App simplifies healthcare by combining essential features like booking appointments, making payments, and accessing remote consultations all in one platform. Users can easily chat with doctors, make video calls for quick diagnoses, and review medical records securely.
This online doctor appointment app aims to provide a seamless experience for both patients and healthcare providers. With a user-friendly interface, patients can conveniently view doctors' profiles, check availability, and book appointments effortlessly.
The problem
— Long Wait Times: Patients May Have To Wait For Weeks Or Even Months To Get An Appointment With A Specialist, Causing Delays In Getting Necessary Medical Treatment.
— Difficulty In Scheduling Appointments: Some Patients May Have Difficulty Scheduling Appointments Due To A Lack Of Knowledge About The Healthcare System Or Difficulty Navigating The Scheduling Process.
— Limited Access To Specialists: Some Patients May Live In Areas With A Shortage Of Specialists, Making It Difficult For Them To Get The Care They Need.
— Limited Hours Of Operation: Some Hospitals May Have Limited Hours Of Operation, Making It Difficult For Patients To Schedule Appointments Outside Of Regular Business Hours.
— Overcrowding: Some Hospitals May Be Overbooked, Leading To Long Wait Times, Delays In GettingTreatment, And Patients Turned Away.
— Emergencies: Some Hospitals Are Overwhelmed With Emergencies And May Not Be Able To TakeAppointments.
User Research
To design the Medic App in a way that truly meets user needs, it was essential to understand the pain points of both patients and healthcare providers. The research process was in-depth, involving interviews and surveys with potential users to gain insight into their daily healthcare struggles and expectations from such an app.
We focused on gathering qualitative insights from a diverse group of users ranging from patients seeking specialist appointments to doctors managing busy schedules. These findings were critical in shaping the app’s features, especially when it came to streamlining appointment booking and offering remote consultation options.
Here’s what we uncovered:
— Patients wanted convenience: They expressed frustration with long wait times, limited access to specialists, and the complexity of booking appointments.
— Doctors sought better time management: Many highlighted the challenge of managing their appointments while keeping patient communication streamlined and efficient.
— Tech comfort varied: While some users were tech-savvy and welcomed a digital-first approach, others preferred simpler, intuitive interfaces to guide them through the process.
User Profiles
The Medic App is designed to cater to various user profiles, each with distinct pain points:
The Student
Age: 18-25 | Tech Comfort: High | Location: Bangalore
Time Constraints: Struggles to find time for health appointments amidst academic responsibilities.
Flexibility Needs: Limited availability makes scheduling traditional appointments challenging.
Health Management: Difficulty keeping up with routine health check-ups due to a busy schedule.
The Office Worker
Age: 25-40 | Tech Comfort: Moderate | Location: Bangalore
Limited Time: Often has to schedule appointments during short breaks or after work, leading to frustration.
Forgetfulness: Frequently misses follow-ups and medication reminders due to a hectic work life.
Record Management: Faces challenges managing health records and insurance details without a centralized tool.
The Business Man
Age: 30-50 | Tech Comfort: Moderate to High | Location: Bangalore
Scheduling Conflicts: Has difficulty finding time for health appointments due to travel and meetings.
Convenience: Prefers efficient solutions like video consultations but may struggle with accessing reliable options.
Wellness Maintenance: Finds it hard to track health metrics and maintain wellness in a busy schedule.
Insights
After conducting extensive user interviews and contextual inquiries, I delved deep into the data to uncover insights that would shape the Medic App. The findings illuminated three crucial themes:
— Trust in Healthcare
Users expressed a fundamental need for trust when it comes to online medical consultations. They emphasized the importance of having verified doctor profiles and authentic patient reviews, ensuring confidence in their healthcare choices.
— Simplified Appointment Scheduling
The data revealed that a seamless booking experience was essential for users, particularly for those juggling busy schedules. They craved an intuitive process that made scheduling appointments quick and hassle-free.
— Preference for Remote Consultations
Lastly, many users showed a strong preference for remote consultations, valuing the convenience of accessing healthcare from the comfort of their homes. This was especially true for routine check-ups, where ease and accessibility were paramount.
Conceptualization
Building on user insights from the research phase, I began crafting the information architecture and low-fidelity concepts for the Medic App, focusing on key use cases. After presenting initial mockups to the Product Manager, developers, and stakeholders, we gathered valuable feedback that informed our next steps.
We conducted usability testing with the low-fidelity designs, allowing us to refine the user experience through real-time observations. With confidence in our design direction, we moved forward with digitalizing the mockups, laying the groundwork for an engaging interface.
The Solution
To solve the challenges identified, we focused on creating a streamlined, intuitive experience for users across all touchpoints of the Medic App. The design emphasizes quick access to essential features like booking doctor appointments, making payments, and managing remote consultations. We introduced an easy-to-navigate interface where users can manage medical records, chat with doctors, and handle personal details efficiently.
Key solutions included:
Simplified appointment booking and consultation process.
Secure, integrated payments system.
Personalized medical profiles for easy record access and updates.
Time-saving for Patients
Easy Appointment Scheduling
Access to Specialists
24-hour Appointment Options
Emergency Services
Convenient Appointment Management
Designs
With the Medic App, the primary goal was to create a user-friendly interface that simplifies complex medical tasks while ensuring a seamless experience. The clean and minimal design ensures that even less tech-savvy users can navigate the app with ease.
I rapidly developed mockups for key user journeys, focusing on essential tasks like booking doctor appointments, accessing medical records, and video consultations. These designs were iterated upon based on feedback from stakeholders and usability testing to refine the user experience.
The final interactive prototype in Figma allowed stakeholders to explore the design, and it served as a crucial step before moving into development.
Get started screen
This screen was simply created to showcase our logo and encourage users to click on the button to get started.
Register account
Users can quickly register via Facebook or Gmail, with a 'Forgot Password' option for easy recovery, ensuring a smooth sign-up process.
Home page
Upon entering the Medic App, users are greeted with a user-friendly interface designed for easy navigation. At the top left, their profile picture and name offer quick access to personal details. To the right, a notifications bell keeps them updated on important alerts.
A prominent search bar allows users to easily find doctors, while a carousel displays vital health information. Below, users can browse categories like dentists, therapists, and surgeons. The comprehensive doctor list features profiles, ratings, and a favorite button for quick access. Navigation between pages is seamless, with an intuitive bottom bar guiding their journey.
All Doctors Page
On the "All Doctors" page, users can effortlessly search for healthcare professionals using both a text search bar and voice memo options. This functionality ensures quick access to the right doctor, tailored to their needs.
Each doctor is displayed with their profile picture, specialty, and ratings, providing a clear overview of available options. Users can easily add their preferred doctors to their favorites with a simple click of a button, ensuring that their go-to choices are always at hand. Centrally located is the main "Book" button, inviting users to schedule appointments with their selected specialists seamlessly.
Appointment Details Page
Upon selecting a doctor, the "Appointment Details" page opens, providing all the essential information at a glance. The doctor's photo, name, specialty, and consultation charges are prominently displayed at the top, alongside options for communication chat, call, or video call.
Below this, users can view detailed information about the doctor, including qualifications and experience. To book an appointment, users simply choose their preferred date and time. After clicking the "Book Appointment" button, they are redirected to a calendar page to finalize the details. Once the time is set, they can confirm the appointment by hitting the "Set Appointment" button. Users can also access this page directly from the homepage by selecting a doctor and choosing the date and time.
Payment Page
After selecting the appointment date and time, users are seamlessly redirected to the "Payment Page." Here, the total amount for the consultation is displayed prominently at the top. Below this, users have the option to pay by entering their card details or choosing a convenient UPI payment method.
Once the payment is successfully processed, the appointment is officially booked, providing users with confirmation and details about their upcoming consultation. The smooth transition from booking to payment ensures a hassle-free experience.
Messaging Page
The "Messaging Page" offers a simple and intuitive chat system, allowing users to search for doctors easily. At the top, users can view the number of available and inactive doctors. Once a doctor is selected from the chat section, the interface is straightforward, minimizing any confusion.
At the top-right corner, there are call and video call icons, enabling users to initiate voice or video consultations directly from the chat.
This streamlined design ensures that users can communicate with doctors effortlessly, maintaining focus on their health needs.
Profile and Notifications Pages
The Profile Page is accessed by clicking on the user's photo from the homepage. Here, users can update their profile picture, modify personal details, review their appointment history, and update location preferences. It also offers easy access to payment methods, app settings, help, and a logout option, ensuring full control over personal information.
On the Notifications Page, users stay connected with timely reminders about upcoming doctor appointments, medication schedules, and health check-ins. The app also sends updates on new doctor messages, medical records, and personalized health tips, helping users stay on top of their healthcare journey effortlessly.
Usability Testing
— Throughout the development of the Medic App, user feedback has been essential in shaping its design. We began with initial testing of low-fidelity prototypes, gathering insights from users on navigation, functionality, and overall user flow. These early tests allowed us to identify potential issues and refine key elements before advancing to the next phase.
— As we progressed, we prepared for unmoderated user testing, where selected users interacted with mid-fidelity prototypes. By completing tasks such as booking appointments, messaging doctors, and navigating their profiles, we aimed to uncover usability challenges that might arise in real-world scenarios.
— The final stage will involve beta testing with a broader audience to ensure the app is intuitive, accessible, and effectively meets diverse healthcare needs before the official launch. Feedback from each stage will continue to inform the design process, enhancing the user experience and ensuring the app caters to every patient's journey.
Results and Takeaways
Working on the Medic App was an enriching experience, full of challenges and rewarding insights. The project highlighted the importance of user-centered design, especially in a field as sensitive as healthcare. Here are some key takeaways:
— Streamlined Experience is Essential
Users greatly valued having a single platform to manage all their healthcare needs. The consolidation of appointments, consultations, and medical records into one app drastically improved their overall experience.
— Ease of Use is Key to Engagement
The simpler we made the navigation and booking processes, the more engaged users became. Complex systems only caused frustration, while an intuitive design fostered trust and long-term use.
These learnings will continue to influence how we design future iterations, ensuring that the Medic App remains a powerful tool for both patients and healthcare providers.