A marketplace platform that enabled users to book appointments with alternative medicine experts in therapies like acupuncture and herbal medicine.
Details
5 week timeline
Founders: Neha Kotha and Mansi Hukmani
My role was UX Designer and Researcher
Introduction
As individuals increasingly seek alternative health treatments due to dissatisfaction with conventional medicine, there is a growing demand for solutions that address holistic well-being through personalized care. This project, Vayu, aims to create a responsive and user-friendly marketplace that connects users with practitioners specializing in alternative medicine, reflecting the trend toward more patient-centered healthcare.
Solution
The objective was to develop a comprehensive platform that facilitates the discovery of alternative health practitioners. This platform responds to the need for a more holistic and patient-focused approach in healthcare, enabling users to connect with practitioners who offer personalized and effective treatments.
User Interview Questions
Can you describe a recent experience when you sought health-related information or support online?
What challenges have you faced in finding alternative health practitioners or treatments?
How do you currently manage your health and wellness needs?
What factors are most important to you when considering alternative health practitioners or treatments?
How do you prefer to communicate with health practitioners (e.g., in-person, phone, video call)?
What information would you find most valuable when searching for alternative health practitioners or treatments?
Have you used an app or online platform to connect with health practitioners? If so, what was your experience?
What features would you expect from an app designed to connect you with alternative health practitioners?
How do you typically decide if a health practitioner or treatment is right for you?
Can you share an example of a positive experience you've had when seeking alternative health solutions?
User General Findings
For Practitioners:
Visibility and Awareness: Practitioners often struggle to gain visibility and reach potential clients.
Client Trust and Understanding: Establishing trust and educating clients about alternative health practices is challenging.
Education: There is a need for better communication of the benefits and effectiveness of alternative treatments compared to traditional medicine.
For Clients:
Information Access: Finding reliable information about alternative health practitioners and treatments is difficult.
Trustworthy Information: There is a need for credible reviews and educational resources.
Personalized Care: Users prefer care that is tailored to their individual health needs and holistic well-being.
Persona
Problem Statement
Individuals like Sarah Thompson face challenges in finding reliable alternative health practitioners due to a lack of comprehensive information and trustworthy reviews. Existing platforms fall short in providing the support needed for informed decision-making. There is a need for an app that effectively connects users with reputable practitioners, offering the information necessary for personalized care.
Design Challenges and Solutions
Challenge: During the design process, one major challenge was integrating a robust search and filtering system that balanced user needs for specificity with ease of use. Users required detailed filtering options to find practitioners based on various criteria, but too many options could overwhelm them.
Solution: To address this, I implemented a phased approach to the filtering system. Initially, users could select broad categories such as location and specialty. After selecting these primary filters, users were presented with additional, more detailed filters. This approach streamlined the search process while still providing the depth needed for precise searches. User feedback was instrumental in refining this system, ensuring it met their needs without compromising usability.
Lightning Demo
Brainstorming ideas
Comprehensive Practitioner Profiles: Create detailed profiles for practitioners, including their qualifications, specialties, treatment approaches, and client reviews.
Search and Filter Options: Implement robust search and filter options to help users narrow down practitioners based on location, specialties, availability, and pricing.
Appointment Scheduling: Allow users to schedule appointments directly through the app, with options for in-person visits or virtual consultations.
Health and Wellness Resources: Provide users with access to articles, videos, and other resources about alternative health practices to educate and inform them.
Community Forums: Create a community forum where users can ask questions, share experiences, and connect with others interested in alternative health.
Integration with Health Tracking Devices: Integrate with health tracking devices to allow users to monitor their health and wellness progress and share this information with practitioners.
Personalized Recommendations: Use user data and preferences to provide personalized recommendations for practitioners and treatments.
Transparent Pricing: Ensure that pricing information for services is clear and transparent, helping users make informed decisions based on their budget.
Client Feedback Loop: Establish a feedback loop where users can provide reviews and ratings for practitioners, helping to maintain quality and trust within the app.
Continued Support: Offer continued support and follow-up care for users, ensuring they have a positive experience and are satisfied with their chosen practitioners.
Design Solutions
Comprehensive Practitioner Profiles: Detailed profiles including qualifications, specialties, treatment approaches, and client reviews.
Search and Filter Options: Advanced search features to help users find practitioners based on location, specialties, availability, and pricing.
Appointment Scheduling: Enable users to schedule appointments directly through the app for both in-person and virtual consultations.
Health and Wellness Resources: Access to articles, videos, and other educational resources on alternative health practices.
Community Forums: A platform for users to ask questions, share experiences, and connect with others interested in alternative health.
Integration with Health Tracking Devices: Sync with health tracking devices to monitor progress and share data with practitioners.
Personalized Recommendations: Tailor recommendations for practitioners and treatments based on user data and preferences.
Transparent Pricing: Clear and upfront pricing information for services.
Client Feedback Loop: A system for users to provide reviews and ratings for practitioners.
Continued Support: Ongoing support and follow-up care to ensure a positive user experience.
Prototype Sketch
Preliminary hand-drawn concept illustrating the user journey for scheduling a session with a practitioner.
Mobile
Tablet
Digital Prototype Sketch
Usability Test Plan
Objective: Evaluate the app's user experience in connecting users with alternative health practitioners, focusing on ease of use, effectiveness, and overall satisfaction.
Participants: 5 individuals familiar with alternative health practices and mobile apps.
Method: Remote usability testing via Zoom, where participants complete tasks within the app while being observed.
Final Design
What I learned
Overcomplicating the Booking Feature: Initially, the booking process had too many options, making it confusing for users. I simplified it by reducing steps and streamlining the interface, which made booking appointments quicker and easier.
Prioritizing Mobile-First Design: Early designs focused on desktop, but users preferred mobile. Shifting to a mobile-first approach improved usability across all devices.
Conclusion
The usability testing highlighted the app's strengths, such as user-friendly design, detailed practitioner profiles, and seamless appointment scheduling. Areas for improvement included refining search filters and enhancing clarity in specific sections. Feedback was incorporated to optimize the user experience, resulting in a more efficient and satisfying platform for connecting users with alternative health practitioners.