Point-of-Care (POC) Device

Methodology

  • Two rounds of formative usability studies
  • User groups: Medical Assistants, Registered Nurses, and Medical Lab Technicians
  • Think- aloud technique
  • Simulated their environment
  • Qualitative analysis

Project Description

Imagine you are sick and go to urgent care. A nurse takes a sample by swabbing your throat or nose and runs a flu or COVID-19 test. The sample is placed in a tube, tested with a device, and within 5–10 minutes, you know if you have flu or COVID-19. This kind of tool is called a Point-of-Care (POC) device.

This project focused on the concept development stage of a POC device designed for rapid and reliable testing of Sexually Transmitted Diseases (STDs). It was intended for use in Clinical Laboratory Improvement Amendments (CLIA)-waived clinics. The main users were medical assistants and registered nurses.


Research Goal

At this stage, we had an initial vision for the POC device. Our goal was to refine the concept, identify risks, and plan ways to reduce those risks before moving into the Alpha design stage. To do this, I ran two rounds of formative usability studies and iterated on our early design concepts. Both studies simulated the clinical environment and used a think-aloud technique.


My Approach

I ran two rounds of formative usability studies and iterated on our early design concepts. Both studies simulated the clinical environment and used a think-aloud technique.


Impact

  • Identified both tactical and strategic design directions

  • Secured client approval for an additional round of formative usability study before moving to Alpha, including budget and timeline approval

  • Achieved a perfect client satisfaction score of 5 out of 5 for the UX team


My Responsibilities

  • Led and conducted research activities: developing protocols, managing logistics, creating recruitment screeners, drafting usability scripts, analyzing data, and presenting design recommendations to the client for the next phase

  • Conducted evaluations of user interactions with the device and its interface

  • Contributed to human factors documentation: usability engineering plan, critical task analysis, use-related risk analysis, and user interface specifications

  • Collaborated with a cross-functional team including the client, program manager, UX designer, industrial designer, mechanical engineer, systems engineer, and electrical engineer