BIPOC Doc
The mission of the BIPOC Doc client project was to create a web/mobile site that specifically addresses the distinctive needs of BIPOC patients. My team and I focused on developing a platform that allows BIPOC users to effortlessly schedule doctor appointments without encountering any language or cultural obstacles.
My Role
Product Management, User Research, Visual design, UI Design, Prototyping
Timeline
March 2023 - April 2023
The Client
Our client for this project was the Black Alumni Collective - a dynamic cohort of both educators and students with a passion for creating a more equitable healthcare landscape for BIPOC communities. They approached us with a clear focus on developing a cutting-edge healthcare platform that addresses the unique needs of marginalized groups - BIPOC Doc.
Client's Mission
The mission of BIPOC Doc is to create a healthcare platform that is inclusive, equitable, and accessible to all members of the BIPOC community. Through its network of culturally competent healthcare providers, BIPOC Doc will aim to address the disparities in healthcare access and outcomes that disproportionately affect BIPOC communities. The goal is to provide a safe and supportive space where patients can find the care they need to achieve optimal health and wellness.
The Challenge
How might we create a more equitable healthcare landscape for BIPOC communities by addressing the systemic issues that lead to limited access to healthcare services?
The challenge for this project was to design and implement innovative solutions that catered to the unique needs of marginalized groups, including but not limited to providing bilingual doctors, ensuring the availability of translators during medical appointments, enhancing healthcare websites' features, and promoting cultural awareness and empathy among healthcare providers. By doing so, we aimed to create a healthcare platform that empowered BIPOC individuals, fostered better health outcomes, and promoted a more inclusive society.
Background Research
The primary focus of the initial research for this project was to investigate the inequities within the U.S. healthcare system that have an adverse impact on individuals who identify as BIPOC.
Market Research
After completing the preliminary background research, the next step entailed conducting comprehensive market research, including a comparative analysis of other industry competitors to assess their products and services.
User Research
Following the market research, the focus shifted towards user research, with the aim of gaining a deeper understanding of the healthcare-related challenges and frustrations faced by our target audience, and identifying their specific needs to inform the site's design. This involved conducting user interviews, and synthesizing the results into an affinity map, which helped identify the common complaints and needs among the participants. Based on this analysis, we were able to create user personas, which served as a valuable tool in developing a user-centered approach to the site's design.
A Solution Emerges
After conducting in-depth research, it became clear that addressing healthcare disparities required a site design that grants access to culturally sensitive doctors, resources, and specialized training for providers to improve healthcare outcomes for BIPOC communities. This solution is aimed at tackling the systemic issues that contribute to healthcare disparities. Additionally, to ensure a comprehensive approach to the issue, it was crucial for the site to meet the needs of both patients and doctors.
Ideation
After the research stage was complete, it was time to use all the valuable insights we had gathered to shape the design structure of BIPOC Doc.
Creating a New Identity
Before delving into structuring the site's information, we prioritized establishing its visual branding. This step was crucial in guiding our approach to the site's overall design. By determining the visual identity of the site, we were able to create a cohesive and consistent visual language throughout the site.
Original Logo
The Original Logo
During the initial stages of the project, we took the original logo provided by the client as a starting point. The client had a clear and powerful vision of what they wanted their logo to represent. Our team's goal was to elevate their vision and give it a contemporary, modern twist while still maintaining its core essence.
After multiple rounds of brainstorming and gathering feedback from the client, we were able to refine and narrow down the design options to the final logo. The collaborative effort allowed us to create a design that not only reflected the client's vision but also aligned with the modern and aesthetic appeal we were aiming for.
The Final Logo
Mapping the Site
The initial stage of the site design process entailed structuring the site architecture to accommodate two distinct views, namely the patient/standard view and the doctor view. As such, we created two separate site maps to ensure optimal organization and usability.
Patient/Standard View Site Map
The patient view emphasizes doctor and appointment bookings while also providing community resources to support users in addressing their healthcare needs.
Doctor View Site Map
To prioritize efficient communication and comprehensive patient information management, the doctor view emphasizes utilizing a dashboard while also providing access to online certification and training resources.
The Users' Journey
For this project, we aimed to explore different user flows that highlight the capabilities of the site. Two of the user flows focused on the patient view, demonstrating how patients can access the site, log in, and find and book a doctor and appointment. The third flow centered on the doctor's perspective, showcasing how they can access the site, view their dashboard features, and choose a training to explore. Our goal was to provide a comprehensive understanding of the site's different features and how users can navigate them.
Time to sketch!
Once the site architecture was organized and the users flows were established, the next step was to start brainstorming ideas for the site's visual design. This involved creating sketches of both the mobile and desktop views to ensure the site's visual consistency and accessibility.
During the sketching phase, our team placed great emphasis on the design of both mobile and desktop structures of the site. As team lead, I was responsible for the desktop structure while my colleagues focused on the mobile structure. Our overarching goal was to create a cohesive design that would effectively present information in a clear and organized manner, while maintaining accessibility and ease of use.
Framing the Vision
During the next stage of the design process, we digitized our sketches into wireframes to gain a more accurate visual representation of the site's overall look and feel. This phase was especially critical as we aimed to ensure that all views of the site were aesthetically cohesive and complemented each other.
Mobile Wireframes
Desktop Wireframes
The wireframes we created are a reflection of the different user paths we aimed to explore with this project. The mobile frames were designed to represent the patient's journey, while the desktop frames were created to showcase the journey of the doctor. Our team placed a significant emphasis on creating wireframes that are not only visually appealing but also easy to navigate and understand for both types of users.
Adding Body to Structure
After finalizing the wireframe structure for the site, the next step was to bring our vision to life. The final designs embody both our team's and client's creative aspirations for BIPOC Doc. The sleek and professional aesthetic we aimed for is reflected in the final designs, which we believe will resonate well with the target audience.
We made sure to keep the user's needs in mind at every step, resulting in a platform that's both approachable and user-friendly for patients and doctors alike. Our focus on creating a streamlined experience has made it easy for users to achieve their objectives with minimal effort.
Mobile screens of patient view
Desktop screens of doctor view
Multiple Views, One Vision - The Prototype
The prototype phase presented an initial challenge for our team, requiring us to prioritize the distinct views of the site - mobile and desktop - while maintaining a streamlined and cohesive approach aligned with our goals. Balancing these competing demands, we emphasized the importance of a user-friendly experience, prioritizing simplicity and ease of use in all aspects of the design process.
Video Demo of User 1 Journey (Patient View)
Video Demo of User 2 Journey (Patient View)
Video Demo of User 3 Journey (Doctor View)
The finalized prototype exemplified a cohesive and user-centered approach that catered to the needs of all users. With a focus on responsiveness, our team meticulously crafted both mobile and desktop views to meet the demands of our client's diverse audience. The end result is a seamless user experience that prioritizes usability and accessibility.
Looking Back, Looking Forward
The BIPOC Doc project proved to be an enlightening experience that provided me with valuable insights into the fragmented nature of our healthcare system. Throughout the project, my team and I were able to gain a comprehensive understanding of the challenges faced by both patients and doctors due to the lack of awareness and equity in healthcare. Through active listening and empathetic engagement, we were able to create a final product that exemplifies our unwavering commitment to our client and audience.
Our results showcase our team's focus and dedication to excellence, and our client was delighted with the outcome of the project. The next phase for our client involves presenting our research and prototype to potential investors to turn their vision for the site into a reality.
Moving forward, we are eager to expand our project and offer more features to the site, providing users with a range of helpful options. We aspire to enhance the doctor view of the site, offering more comprehensive training modules and other resources that can help doctors better communicate with ESL patients. Additionally, we plan to incorporate more interactive elements, such as collaborating with language development companies like Duolingo, Primsleur, and Babbel. By doing so, we hope to create a more inclusive and reliable healthcare service that meets the diverse needs of patients and doctors.