Telehealth Pod
Project Incentive
The project started with examining the relevancy of American healthcare system in conjunction with the current pandemic. We discovered that the healthcare system is heavily dependent on profit and rarely focuses on sickness prevention. Therefore, we intend to design a convenient solution that allows easy access to healthcare service as well as reducing hospital transmissions in times of crisis.
Identify Stakeholders
User Research
We conducted surveys and interviews from doctors and patients in understanding their behaviors and experience with the health care system as well as their adaptability with modern technology.
We surveyed 800 patients and 500 medical personnels regarding their experience with in person and remote working environment. We found out that
From Patients:
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Most patients feel that remote communication technology is completely possible, but will or might not be effective.
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Most patients are accustomed to conduct their appointments face to face. However, people have shown their acceptance towards meeting with their doctors remotely. However, at the same time, they have expressed that this technology has many limitations regarding hospital physical resources, hygenic issues, and data’s accuracy.
From Doctors:
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Multiple doctors have suggested that the pod can be used to review test results. However, they have also shown that on average, 25-50% of your visits could be performed remotely with basic medical equipment.
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Half of them still meet with patients face to face, but the other half has chosen online platforms. Their major concern lies in limited communication leading to inaccurate diagnosis, and limited known platforms that allow this form of communication.
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They noticed a significant decrease in normal patient count during the pandemic, which means that there are patients who are sick with other conditions but choose not to come to hospital.
Brainstorming Solutions
Project Proposal
We set out to design a telemedicine pod that supports preliminary health service between doctors and patients. This idea presents the familiar concept of the doctor's office and at the same time could provide accessible and affordable health care with stronger sense of privacy and comfort.
What does a doctor's office look like?
To better simulate a doctor’s appointment, we consulted a family doctor’s work routine.
A typical visit usually starts with the verbal description of health concern and the collection of vital sign and health history. The doctor then comes to a more conclusive decisions such as prescription, or referral, and further testing.
With this in mind, we want to combine the pod’s interior space with the virtual platform to create a seamless experience. The pod therefor contains a medical console containing the devices as well as a screen for video communication.
The types of users we are looking for are between the age of 25 and 40, They have a busy work life, although their goals are to keep a healthy lifestyle, their overwhelming schedule often leads them to negligence. They are frustrated that healthcare system is a laborious process and therefore desire a more accessible way of monitoring health status and a more efficient way of resolving minor bodily discomfort.
User Persona
User Flow
The individualized service structure, self diagnosis feature and regular data collection and update ensures on time appointment, routine health examination and regular medical feedback.
Medical Pod Sketch
Medical Console Design
After conversations with medical professionals, we want to improve the hygienity and security of the medical devices in the medical pod. The console consist of modular cells holding individual devices including thermometer, blood pressure meter, stethoscope, blood oximeter, otoscope, and dermatoscope. UVC led is installed ON THE INSIDE to sanitize the devices. They are also bluetooth enabled and equipped with wireless charging and tracking for further security measures. To make the console more user friendly, we also added indicators displaying the types of devices inside as well as its battery and activity status.
Several interviews brought up concerns about managements costs. So we designed the pod to require as little maintenance as possible.
UVC lamps on each corner convers the entire pod interior for surface sanitation. The pod also features IR sensors to detect human presence, and solenoid door lock to prevent unauthorized access or prevent access during the cleaning cycle.
Pod Maintenance/Management
User Journey
