UI/UX Designs for Healthcare Apps.
I’ve always wondered what the process of designing for healthcare is like. Even though I come from a design background, I never had the opportunity to create wireframes for any websites or brands. To be honest, I’ve only gone so far with just the basics of illustrating for graphic design and producing some visual graphics using Adobe Suite in my time designing. Apart from the target audience which is everyone because, at any point in time, you need the assistance of doctors; I never thought too hard about what goes into designing specifically for healthcare apps.
How does this application effectively benefit both healthcare providers and users In this week’s article, I’ll explore and probably get you to learn alongside me about the importance of clinical design in healthcare and how much it is shaping the future for both providers and users like myself.
What is Wireframing?
To start we need to know some basics about UI/UX. It begins with wireframing the base of the app/website. In this example, you can see basic sketches and it is an important step because it helps with deciding the layout and maps out the user flow. It includes only simplistic images, block shapes, and mock content—such as filler text for labels and headings.
From this point, we get to the mid-fidelity and high-fidelity wireframing where the app design will improve in visuals and layout. The planning of who and what goes where gets more solidified as the design process continues. High-fidelity wireframes have pixel-specific layouts and may include actual featured images and relevant copy. They are ideal for analysing and documenting complex concepts such as menu systems or interactive maps.
You’re probably asking; “Abbie, what’s so special about our healthcare app and designing for it?” When I am comparing these to retail brands or food delivery apps, there is more to it than aesthetics; it’s also about creating a seamless experience that integrates form and function. Buying clothes from your phone is easy, but what about booking appointments where your health depends on it?
Understanding the Importance of the Design.
Taking Singapore’s Health Buddy phone app as an example, at first glance the app can take you by surprise because of how colourful and the choice of fonts are. The thickness of the lines in the icon and the simple sans-serif font usage are applied in such an intentional way as to increase the ease of readability, and people who have a hard time reading can select from the icons instead. By designing with inclusivity in mind, we can create systems that accommodate the visually impaired in our ever-growing ageing population here in Singapore.
You can prioritise the more immediate health concerns you are monitoring with this health app. Imagine if the choice of fonts were to be thinner and designed with minimalistic aesthetics, I don’t think it would be easier to navigate as not everything is grouped by colour codes. As a designer, I think this could be improved a little bit more in terms of aesthetics, but most of the time functionality is more important. While you’re poking around this app, it cleverly points out the different options you can pick. I wanted to find out which details will be displayed in the Heart Care section that can be directly found under the highlighted segment “Specialty Care”.
In this section, you can track your pulse and blood pressure. The design is straightforward to follow, and on every page, you can read health tips and schedule a doctor’s appointment without having to navigate back to the home page. This is just one of many examples showcasing thoughtful design in this app.
What’s to be improved?
Although this application is impressive, I experienced some lags and crashes during installation. Numerous users have reported issues, such as inaccurate appointment timings and the requirement to repeatedly log in with SingPass despite having a fingerprint login available. User interfaces should simplify tasks like checking available dental appointment slots. Instead of tapping each day individually on the calendar, users should easily access the nearest available date via an up-to-date list on the app.
I am confident that over time, enhancements will be made, such as the ability to set reminders for users to track their health via mobile apps. Users have voiced their concerns, and with increased feedback and interactions, health apps can learn to improve, adapt, and upgrade for a seamless experience.
For Healthcare Professionals
As this app links directly to the accommodating clinics, the pharmacists and doctors would be able to receive appointments from their patients and obtain the necessary health information and diagnosis the patient has or is experiencing from the system. Applications like these provide streamlined access to information that can enhance decision-making and improve patient outcomes and ultimately care, benefitting the professionals and patients. Examples are stated from Mount Elizabeth’s DigiCare app for their Parkway doctors to access their smartphones to check on patient accounts, records and reports easily. This includes filing Letters of Certification electronically, ordering tests and viewing fees.
Though this case is from 2017, it has served as a good stepping stone to understanding how much this has benefitted both the patient and the doctor. [1]Tan Kai Ern, 18 at that time suffers from a disorder called Haemophilia that causes him to bruise easily and bleed internally. Tan Kai Ern accesses the app called Zero Bleeds at least twice a week to record his condition, treatment dosages and doctor’s visits.
In doing so, these apps allow users to share their records with their healthcare team. [2] It's impressive that apart from mobile apps that can offer everyday wellness advice on diet, lifestyle, weight and sleep patterns, apps that are focused on medical care can measure and monitor the user’s symptoms and treatment. Even allowing users to access their doctors remotely. It gives the user’s doctor profound knowledge to manage them collectively, taking their lifestyle and activity information to provide better patient care.
For Users
For patients, especially the elderly, navigating healthcare systems can be daunting. Improved UI/UX design means removing barriers, making it easier to schedule appointments, access medical records, and understand treatment plans. It's about empowering patients to take control of their healthcare journeys, fostering autonomy and confidence. Our elderly deserve interfaces that are easy to navigate. We can aim to focus on adaptable and elder-friendly designs that can also address the specific needs and preferences of the ageing group. By designing with inclusivity, we create systems that accommodate varying levels of tech-savviness. Larger text, simplified navigation, and voice-assisted technology can make the digital healthcare landscape accessible to all ages to ultimately promote active and independent living.
Conclusion
By blending compassion and creativity, improved UI/UX in healthcare becomes a revolution. The designs empower professionals and patients, enabling effective communication and care. User-friendly interfaces make healthcare efficient and accessible. Keeping the user at the heart of every design choice is crucial for a future where technology and empathy go hand in hand. Smooth systems lead to the happiest outcomes.
Sources
[1] Eveline Gan (Sophisticated mobile health apps empowering patients) pp. 17-19, 2017
[2] Eveline Gan (Sophisticated mobile health apps empowering patients) pp. 4, 2017