Medical UX is the design of healthcare applications that improve access and usability. This includes telemedicine, electronic health records, and administrative tools for hospitals and other medical facilities.
Healthcare users are looking for ease and innovation. Whether they’re doctors, surgeons, hospital management, or patients, they want a simple, clear interface that doesn’t derail them from doing their jobs.
Patient-centricity
Patient-centricity is a rising trend in healthcare UX design. It includes tools like chatbots, patient portals and apps that are designed to make medical processes more accessible for patients and improve their experience with the healthcare system. These tools can help with scheduling appointments, answering questions, and collecting feedback. They also help reduce the workload of healthcare staff.
Patient centricity focuses on understanding patient needs, ambitions, and values to create digital health solutions that meet those needs. This is done through UX research methods such as personas, value proposition canvas, Jobs To Be Done, and patient journey mapping.
Aside from improving patients’ experiences, a patient-centric approach can also improve clinical outcomes. For example, a patient-centric approach can allow for more time with patients during unhurried exams, which can lead to better continuity of care and a more holistic view of the patient. It can also support more nuanced treatment plans and longer-term behaviour changes. This can ultimately lead to greater patient satisfaction and a more sustainable business model. This is especially important as the global population ages, and the need for healthcare services will continue to grow.
Accessibility
The healthcare industry has long been behind other industries in adopting new technology and digitalization. This is mainly due to the fact that it must comply with strict regulations, meet a high level of functionality testing, and deal with a heavy workload. As a result, usability is often overlooked.
It’s important to ensure that your product complies with accessibility standards in order to reach as many users as possible. This includes people with disabilities and impairments. Around 15% of the world’s population has some form of disability, and that number is expected to rise as the baby boomers age.
To improve the user experience, medical websites should follow UI design principles such as clear visual hierarchies, consistent layouts, and a well-organized structure. Additionally, the content should be clearly readable by assistive software. This is especially important for tables, which are used to display test results and other healthcare information. It’s also essential that video and audio content include captions or transcripts for people who are deaf or hard-of-hearing. This will help to avoid the risk of lawsuits by patients who cannot access information because of their limitations.
Security
The use of medical software requires a high level of security. It is critical for users to know how to secure their information and systems. This includes limiting access to email accounts, which often hold sensitive data, such as patient records and contact details.
Healthcare system designers must also ensure that their products are HIPAA and GDPR compliant. They must consider user feedback and create designs that are easy to update if needed. They must also avoid using dark UX patterns, as these can lead to a lack of transparency and control over user information.
In the past, doctors spent a large amount of time on administrative work and paperwork. Even though digitization has helped reduce the paperwork, it still occupies a significant portion of their time. This means that they have less time to spend on their patients. This is why a good healthcare design is essential for patient health and well-being. It also makes it easier for hospitals and doctors to provide a better experience. For example, online portals for patients make it simple to share medical history with new doctors and specialists.
Privacy
Digital technology is transforming healthcare, providing new opportunities for patients and medical professionals alike. However, it is essential to consider cybersecurity when designing these devices. Medical UX must integrate cyber resilience and privacy capabilities throughout the product life cycle. This will not only ensure compliance with regulations but also establish credibility and market adoption.
For example, telemedicine software needs to take into account the fact that potential users aren’t a homogeneous group. While a standard remote appointment should replicate the feeling of a face-to-face consultation, designers must also address the varying mental states and tech skills of the different categories of potential patients.
For instance, a patient with dementia may have difficulty using an app that requires complex log-in procedures. It is therefore important to incorporate features that make it easy for a patient to use the device, such as two-factor authentication. This feature increases an app’s security and will require more time and resources for hackers to breach it. Moreover, the app should allow patients to disable their biometric sensors if they want to protect their privacy.
Innovation
Medical UX is a critical step towards creating adaptive, accessible healthcare systems. It’s no wonder that healthcare technologies and devices are constantly innovating. They need to be user-friendly in order to meet the increasing demands of users.
In addition, they must comply with notified bodies to ensure patient safety. This has a huge impact on the way they are designed and used. This is why innovation in Medical UX is increasingly important, even during the pandemic.
For example, patients can now monitor their health with telehealth options that allow them to take care of themselves at home. This requires a more intuitive digital software.
Another example is glucose sensors, which constantly measure blood sugar levels. These generate a massive amount of data that needs to be understood by patients and healthcare professionals. A good UX design allows them to easily visualize and analyze the information, resulting in better diabetes management.
