UX Design | Web App
Vax
Vax
Creating an accessible and modern immunization registry.
Creating an accessible and modern immunization registry.
ROLE
UX Research, Ideation, Wireframe, Prototyping, User Testing, Visual Design
UX Research, Ideation, Wireframe, Prototyping, User Testing, Visual Design
TOOLS
TOOLS
Sketch, Illustrator, InVision, Principle
Sketch, Illustrator, InVision, Principle
DURATION
September 2017 - April 2018 (8 months)
September 2017 - April 2018 (8 months)
PROJECT TYPE
Individual 4th Year Thesis
Individual 4th Year Thesis
Overview
Overview
Vax was my fourth-year thesis project inspired by a personal struggle to find my immunization record after getting cut by metal. I decided to dig deeper into the problem space to see if it is a broader public issue.
Vax was my fourth-year thesis project inspired by a personal struggle to find my immunization record after getting cut by metal. I decided to dig deeper into the problem space to see if it is a broader public issue.
Problem
Problem
In Canada, there are no universal methods for people to keep track of the vaccinations they have received. The current paper-based system means individuals have to update their immunization records on their own. Each municipality also has its own platform for residences to note their child's vaccination history.
In Canada, there are no universal methods for people to keep track of the vaccinations they have received. The current paper-based system means individuals have to update their immunization records on their own. Each municipality also has its own platform for residences to note their child's vaccination history.
Why is this an issue?
Why is this an issue?
- Immunization records are easily lost.
- People do not always keep paper records up to date.
- Can lead to potential inaccuracies in public health data.
- Causes a lack of clarity in Canada's immunization rates.
- If an infectious outbreak occurs, healthcare providers may not be able to properly assess the risk of certain populations and locations.
- Immunization records are easily lost.
- People do not always keep paper records up to date.
- Can lead to potential inaccuracies in public health data.
- Causes a lack of clarity in Canada's immunization rates.
- If an infectious outbreak occurs, healthcare providers may not be able to properly assess the risk of certain populations and locations.
Challenge
Challenge
How might we design an accessible and accurate system that allows people to track their immunization records?
How might we promote the usage of a digital system and inform people of vaccinations they need?
How might we design an accessible and accurate system that allows people to track their immunization records?
How might we promote the usage of a digital system and inform people of vaccinations they need?
Solution
Solution
Vax is a digital immunization platform that allows families and individuals to track their vaccinations in one place. It allows people to understand the vaccinations they need for work, school, travel, or personal health.
Vax is a digital immunization platform that allows families and individuals to track their vaccinations in one place. It allows people to understand the vaccinations they need for work, school, travel, or personal health.
Research
Research
During the first three months, I conducted secondary and primary research.
Subjects included:
- The problems with paper-based vaccination records.
- How society might benefit from having a national digital immunization system.
- Understanding why some people are more hesitant about vaccinating their children.
- The barriers that might hinder someone from using a digital system.
- How to best implement one effectively.
Secondary Research
Secondary Research
I went through online news articles, case studies, books, and published medical journals to better understand the scope of the problem.
I went through online news articles, case studies, books, and published medical journals to better understand the scope of the problem.
Out-of-date systems
Out-of-date systems
In 2017, 5,063 elementary school kids in Toronto were suspended for out-of-date immunization records. The problem keeps occurring because there is no system in place for parents to keep up to date with their children's immunization and there is no way for doctors to remind them about it.
In 2017, 5,063 elementary school kids in Toronto were suspended for out-of-date immunization records. The problem keeps occurring because there is no system in place for parents to keep up to date with their children's immunization and there is no way for doctors to remind them about it.
In an online Toronto Star survey that asked if parents should be responsible for updating their children's immunization record with the school:
- 58.5% said it should be the parents' responsibility
- 22.4% said doctors should submit it to the school
- 19.1% said that parents should be alerted for out-of-date records
In an online Toronto Star survey that asked if parents should be responsible for updating their children's immunization record with the school:
- 58.5% said it should be the parents' responsibility
- 22.4% said doctors should submit it to the school
- 19.1% said that parents should be alerted for out-of-date records
Current systems are complicated
Current systems are complicated
It creates a situation where parents without any medical knowledge have to go online to update their child's immunization record based on what is marked on their yellow card. Mistakes may occur during this process, which will lead to inaccuracies in public health data.
It creates a situation where parents without any medical knowledge have to go online to update their child's immunization record based on what is marked on their yellow card. Mistakes may occur during this process, which will lead to inaccuracies in public health data.
Benefits of a cohesive digital platform
Benefits of a cohesive digital platform
- Allows vaccines to reach more segments of the population.
- Easier to transfer immunization histories when patients move to other regions in Canada.
- Help track vaccine side-effects and provide stronger surveillance for vaccine-preventable diseases.
- Data from immunization registries will help public health workers plan programs and manage inventories.
- Public health workers can identify at-risk populations, which will aid in early intervention.
- Allows vaccines to reach more segments of the population.
- Easier to transfer immunization histories when patients move to other regions in Canada.
- Help track vaccine side-effects and provide stronger surveillance for vaccine-preventable diseases.
- Data from immunization registries will help public health workers plan programs and manage inventories.
- Public health workers can identify at-risk populations, which will aid in early intervention.
An ideal system should be all-encompassing and accessible by different types of users.
An ideal system should be all-encompassing and accessible by different types of users.
Saves parents time and helps reduce cost
Saves parents time and helps reduce cost
Not only does a digital immunization system help parents keep track of their children's vaccination records, but it can also help governments save money. It reduces the number of vaccines that are given as a precaution, which helps decrease immunization costs.
For example, in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina, parents used the Louisiana Immunization Network for Kids Statewide (LINKS) to access their child's immunization record. By doing so, it saved time, money, and the need to revaccinate displaced children.
People who were displaced were still able to access their immunization history throughout the United States. The registry contained the data of around 1.5 million people and helped over 21,000 people access it outside of Louisiana boundaries. This saved more than $4.6 million in revaccination expenses.
Not only does a digital immunization system help parents keep track of their children's vaccination records, but it can also help governments save money. It reduces the number of vaccines that are given as a precaution, which helps decrease immunization costs.
For example, in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina, parents used the Louisiana Immunization Network for Kids Statewide (LINKS) to access their child's immunization record. By doing so, it saved time, money, and the need to revaccinate displaced children.
People who were displaced were still able to access their immunization history throughout the United States. The registry contained the data of around 1.5 million people and helped over 21,000 people access it outside of Louisiana boundaries. This saved more than $4.6 million in revaccination expenses.
Primary Research
Primary Research
I conducted four 1-1 interviews with two people working in public health (one doctor and one nurse) and two potential end-users of a digital immunization registry (parents and travellers).
I conducted four 1-1 interviews with two people working in public health (one doctor and one nurse) and two potential end-users of a digital immunization registry (parents and travellers).
Interview Questions
Interview Questions
Some questions I tried to get answered include:
- What is the user experience of the current yellow-card system?
- What are the strengths and weaknesses of the current system?
- How often will patients need to access and update their immunization record? For what purpose?
- What kinds of features does a patient need in a digital immunization registry?
- How might digital privacy concerns be mitigated?
- How will a patient keep up with evolving vaccination schedules?
Some questions I tried to get answered include:
- What is the user experience of the current yellow-card system?
- What are the strengths and weaknesses of the current system?
- How often will patients need to access and update their immunization record? For what purpose?
- What kinds of features does a patient need in a digital immunization registry?
- How might digital privacy concerns be mitigated?
- How will a patient keep up with evolving vaccination schedules?
User Pain Points, Opportunities and Constraints
User Pain Points, Opportunities and Constraints
Ideation
Ideation
I started by sketching a storyboard to get a sense of the user flow. From there, I developed more iterations of what each page may look like.
I started by sketching a storyboard to get a sense of the user flow. From there, I developed more iterations of what each page may look like.
Designs
Designs
Landing Page
Landing Page
The landing page informs visitors about Vax and talks about the benefits of immunizations. Users can take a short quiz to understand the vaccinations they need based on their age and history.
The landing page informs visitors about Vax and talks about the benefits of immunizations. Users can take a short quiz to understand the vaccinations they need based on their age and history.
Considerations
Considerations
- Clear, simple and friendly copy
- Easy sign-up
- Text message reminders
- Education on the importance of immunization
- Clear, simple and friendly copy
- Easy sign-up
- Text message reminders
- Education on the importance of immunization
Questionnaire Overview
Questionnaire Overview
When the visitor chooses to learn more, it brings them to the overview of the quiz. It asks them who the vaccination is for, the date of birth, and the area they live in.
When the visitor chooses to learn more, it brings them to the overview of the quiz. It asks them who the vaccination is for, the date of birth, and the area they live in.
Medical Conditions
Medical Conditions
The next part of the questionnaire asks if the person getting immunized has any pre-existing medical conditions.
The next part of the questionnaire asks if the person getting immunized has any pre-existing medical conditions.
Travel
Travel
In this section, it will ask the visitor if they are travelling within the next 12 months. If they answer yes, more specific questions will show up. This includes where their travel destination is and when they are departing.
In this section, it will ask the visitor if they are travelling within the next 12 months. If they answer yes, more specific questions will show up. This includes where their travel destination is and when they are departing.
Results
Results
Based on the user's answers, it will show the recommended and suggested vaccinations they need.
Based on the user's answers, it will show the recommended and suggested vaccinations they need.
Immunization Records
Immunization Records
The immunization records will help families and individuals understand what vaccinations are coming up. They can also update, edit, print, or download their personal record.
The immunization records will help families and individuals understand what vaccinations are coming up. They can also update, edit, print, or download their personal record.
Prototype
Prototype
Check out the prototype by clicking on the button below.
Check out the prototype by clicking on the button below.
Reflection
Reflection
During the first four months, I had the opportunity to delve into different research methods. I was able to understand the problem through user interviews and observational studies. This allowed me to gain a sense of empathy for the people I am designing for.
The second semester consisted of the design phase. In the beginning, it was challenging to take what I learned from my research and apply it to the immunization registry. I struggled with the information architecture of Vax and went back to the basics (paper and pencil) to get a better sense of the flow of information.
During that time, I developed my systems thinking and the ability to see the problem from a birds-eye view. I also had the chance to briefly user test my application with three friends. Their feedback helped me refine my prototype, but testing with a targeted audience is needed in the future.
What would I change or do differently?
What would I change or do differently?
- Make it more accessible
- Create a mobile-friendly interface
- Improve UI (button states) and overall layout of the designs
- Improve IA (I would remove the 'features' link on the navigation because it does not make sense or support the overall product)