Healthcare UX: Why it matters in Healthcare technology

Posted by Christina James on June 2nd, 2021

UX stands for user experience: the type of experience users have when they engage with designs. Healthcare UX is an extensive and divergent area in UX, which includes design solutions for healthcare technology and services.

Some of the design solutions in healthcare technology include medical apps, electronic hospital records, remote monitoring etc. Here, the users can be identified as virtually anyone, from doctors, other trained professionals, administration staff, to even the general public. Hence, healthcare technology involves a diverse range of people utilizing the services for different purposes. As such, a bad user experience in healthcare may cost people terribly.

The Healthcare industry most certainly cannot compromise on user experience at any cost. This article explores why healthcare UX is pivotal in healthcare technology and how quality UX design offers premium service and experience. Also, read on to find out more about the hot trends in healthcare UX.

Why is Healthcare UX important?

Imagine a doctor making mistakes in treating deadly diseases. Or a patient record getting lost due to poor data management. Or even worse, accidentally sending home a Covid-19 positive person!  All this due to poorly designed interfaces that overtly complicate simple solutions. Therefore, it is high time we revolutionize our healthcare UX industry. Bad UX strategy affects everyone involved in the healthcare industry alike.

Healthcare professionals, including doctors, nurses and administrators, work all kinds of odd hours and are stretched to their limits every single day. Different departments have different needs that are time-consuming and stressful as well. To top it off, having to remember or memorize multiple passwords for multiple accounts and dealing with multiple systems is exhausting. These people need simple and intuitive solutions that refrain them from grave mistakes.

Therefore, healthcare applications require a UX strategy that optimizes usability, accessibility and contentment. In addition, medical technologies need to be functioning at their best, offering the best user experience to create a healthier future. It implies that functionality and user experience must go hand in hand.


Tips for a Better Healthcare UX

Medical apps have the biggest responsibility of making healthcare more accessible than ever. UX designers play a crucial role in this challenging responsibility as simple and comprehensive designs deliver effective app experiences and services.

Let's outline a few tips for a better healthcare UX that would aid UX designers and developers in the long run:

  • 'Fail-proof' design concept: Rigorous testing ensures fail-proof software. Designers must refine the concept through continuous testing and prototyping. In simpler terms, prove your design wrong in multiple ways to create an ultimate fail-proof design.

  • Limited distractions: Flashy designs alleviate the cognitive load. Minimalism is key to building a great UX for healthcare and any industry for that matter. Minimalistic design features provide only necessary information which can be accessible from end-user research.

  • Minimal processes: Uncomplicated navigation within the application is crucial in ensuring easy accessibility of information. It would also avoid unnecessary delays in emergencies. Therefore, minimizing the process ensures quick results.

  • Design for connectivity: A design that personalizes its features helps establish connectivity. We want our users to feel content; hence as a designer build designs with bespoke features. In addition, we must deliver the information sought by users in real-time as well.

  • Sustainable strategy: Medical technology evolves daily at a remarkable speed. We need a healthcare system that is designed to accommodate such transitions and modifications with ease. Thus, a sustainable digital strategy is key for a better UX.

Top Healthcare UX trends

Digital healthcare solutions are evolving daily. We must uphold usability to sustain innovation. However, each innovation brings a new challenge to meet user objectives. Focusing on user-centric design can resolve most challenges. UX research methods such as surveys, interviews, focus groups, task analysis etc., help designers to understand user goals and needs: how they think and what motivates them.

Let's take a look at the top 4 healthcare UX trends that are gaining traction right now:

  1. Wearable tech: This is an emerging trend in healthcare and includes smart wearable gadgets such as fitness trackers that don't merely count your steps but monitor heart rate and blood pressure as well.

  2. Chatbots: Chatbots are gaining huge popularity in the healthcare industry. They make inquiries possible without in-person contact and are extremely user-friendly.

  3. AR and VR- Augmented Reality (AR) and Virtual Reality (VR) have transformed the healthcare industry regarding how medical professionals conduct business.

  4. Telehealth: Telehealth or telemedicine is one of the most beneficial trends of all time. This technology makes remote consultations possible through apps.

All the trends mentioned above highly rely on UX design to bring technology and users closer together. People and their needs are our focus point every time. Building a service that adds value to our community and makes people's lives better is the motivation behind healthcare UX.

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Christina James

About the Author

Christina James
Joined: November 28th, 2019
Articles Posted: 45

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