Presentation
Setting Up Medical Devices at Home: Easing the Patient’s Human Factors’ Burden by Creating a Great User Experience
SessionHome Use Environment (DH9)
DescriptionAs ubiquitous as smartphones, apps and related devices are these days, it’s still not always an easy process for a user to get comfortable with a new product. This is particularly true in the setup process of a new phone, device and companion app. Medical devices can be complex and portions of the target population may not be well-versed in using smartphones and apps. A user’s lack of experience is something that we regularly see in the process of designing and developing medical device interfaces that are used by patients at home.
How can we ease the burden of a patient setting up a system at home? By paying close attention to things like unboxing a device and onboarding an app in the design process, we can lessen the burden patients face, achieve a great user experience, and facilitate the beginning of an adherent relationship between the patient and the device.
If a user can’t get a medical device or related app up and running, they may give up on it and see your device as a waste of their time and money. Providers who prescribe your devices may be concerned about recommending something that is not usable by the patient. As a product stakeholder or company leader, you don’t want this to happen to your product.
Several areas of product design and design approaches can help ease the patient burden and lead to a great user experience: For example, in the spirit of Apple, pay attention to how someone will unbox your device. You will likely include an IFU because you have to, but also include a quick reference card that gives someone the basics to get up and running. In addition, approaches such as putting onboarding instructions in the app that guide the user through the setup process will make home setup easier. Finally, there can also be value in a help system in the app, either contextual or a help library with instructional materials, in case the user has questions.
When all else fails, a customer service number is appreciated. Be sure to provide service personnel with a table of possible issues and workarounds so a user calling in can be better accommodated.
Key takeaways from this session for designers, product stakeholders and company stakeholders include the following. First, we will cover common stumbling blocks found across devices. We will also look at design and testing techniques that improve onboarding content, methods for easing at-home implementation of Bluetooth pairing, and how to deal with issues that can occur with phone and OS updates.
How can we ease the burden of a patient setting up a system at home? By paying close attention to things like unboxing a device and onboarding an app in the design process, we can lessen the burden patients face, achieve a great user experience, and facilitate the beginning of an adherent relationship between the patient and the device.
If a user can’t get a medical device or related app up and running, they may give up on it and see your device as a waste of their time and money. Providers who prescribe your devices may be concerned about recommending something that is not usable by the patient. As a product stakeholder or company leader, you don’t want this to happen to your product.
Several areas of product design and design approaches can help ease the patient burden and lead to a great user experience: For example, in the spirit of Apple, pay attention to how someone will unbox your device. You will likely include an IFU because you have to, but also include a quick reference card that gives someone the basics to get up and running. In addition, approaches such as putting onboarding instructions in the app that guide the user through the setup process will make home setup easier. Finally, there can also be value in a help system in the app, either contextual or a help library with instructional materials, in case the user has questions.
When all else fails, a customer service number is appreciated. Be sure to provide service personnel with a table of possible issues and workarounds so a user calling in can be better accommodated.
Key takeaways from this session for designers, product stakeholders and company stakeholders include the following. First, we will cover common stumbling blocks found across devices. We will also look at design and testing techniques that improve onboarding content, methods for easing at-home implementation of Bluetooth pairing, and how to deal with issues that can occur with phone and OS updates.
Event Type
Oral Presentations
TimeWednesday, March 2711:00am - 11:30am CDT
LocationSalon A-2
Digital Health