Due to client confidentiality we are unable to publish client names or products, but can provide a general description of projects conducted for the medical industry.
Example 1: User experience test
The development of new medical devices for use by patients, as well as health care practitioners, provides two challenges: the device must fit severe norms and approval directives and it has to fit into the everyday lives or workflows of a highly specific target group. These preconditions mean an optimised user experience is essential.
UXalliance partner SirValUse (Germany) has conducted dozens of user experience tests with prototypes of digital and analog medical devices. Most of these tests were conducted together with real patients, medics and medical consultants in several countries including Germany, France and Spain.
In addition User Centric (USA) has completed dozens of studies (some published) on medical devices, pharmaceutical package design and patient needs assessments. These have been tested in homes, medical clinics and care units in hospitals.
The goal of these tests was to further optimize the devices to ensure they can be used quick, easy, safe and convenient without impacting the patient’s daily life.
Most often, these tests are carried out iteratively to check the implementation of changes made since the last test.
Example 2: Quantitative benchmarking tests
These studies are typically conducted in several countries using large sample sizes of about n=400 users.
The testing format follows that of a standardized face-to-face session with qualified moderators. These studies are often used for the following purposes:
- To select the most successful prototype or concept from several options, based on a statistically valid sample size.
- To determine whether or not the device meets industry standards e.g. FDA in the US.
- To competitively benchmark a clients' device.
Example 3: Redesign of medical package or user interface design
These studies follow 6 key stages:
- Discovery. Contextual interviews on-site with patients or healthcare providers (nurse practitioners or physicians and even pharmacists) to understand needs and opportunities
- Design. Initial design based on insights from Discovery. Wireframe designs without graphic treatment
- terative testing. Assess initial designs for comprehension, usability, value proposition, and usability of the design along key tasks
- Design iteration. Improvement of designs based on formative iterative testing
- Graphic design integration. Integration of graphic treatment to wireframes
- Validation testing. Final test for design validation
