HIV Research Tablet App
Tablet application tailored for administering cognitive assessments in HIV research.
Objective:
Update the Hand-in-Hand study-app to a new BRACE (Bridging Research and Clinical Experiences in HIV Program) application used in-clinic to administer cognitive assessments to individuals with HIV, improving usability and accessibility based on feedback from research assistants.
Context and Challenge:
The original application included a dashboard for data visualization, but my task focused on the tablet app itself. This project marked my first major solo design initiative, conducted with direct input from Johns Hopkins research assistants.
My Role:
As the sole designer, I was responsible for:
Conducting field research at Johns Hopkins to gather direct feedback from study staff.
Analyzing user interactions and challenges with the current app design.
Redesigning the app to enhance user engagement, accessibility, and functionality.
Research Insights
User interviews were conducted on-site with Johns Hopkins research assistants administering the application in their HIV studies. Notes taken from the interviews were organized into cards and sorted into actionable themes.
Several critical needs emerged:
Literacy Variance: Some participants could not read, requiring guided navigation through the app.
Instruction Oversight: Participants often skipped instructions, leading to confusion during assessments.
Accessibility Issues: Challenges such as arthritis, stroke history, and physical impairments affected the ability to interact with the app.
Color Vision Deficiency: Difficulty in differentiating between red and green affected the completion of certain cognitive tests.
Sync Indication: Lack of visible confirmation when data synced to the dashboard.
Design Process:
The redesign process was characterized by several strategic improvements:
Enhanced Instructions: Replaced text instructions with clear, engaging, narrated video instructions to ensure understanding across literacy levels.
Inclusive Visualizations: Developed visual aids for each assessment to better engage participants and accommodate physical limitations.
Improved Accessibility: Adapted the app's interface to allow for usage on a flat surface, accommodating various physical conditions.
Color Adjustment: Modified the hues of red and green used in tests to accommodate color vision deficiencies.
Data Sync Indicators: Implemented visual cues to inform researchers when data had been successfully uploaded to the server.
User Handoff Design: Created a clear delineation for the transition of the tablet between researchers and participants.
Assessment Customization: Enabled researchers to select specific assessments to administer during each session.
Outcome and Impact
The redesigned app was well-received by the research team and continues to be used effectively in clinical settings today. Feedback highlighted significant improvements in user engagement and operational efficiency.
“We were able to successfully implement BRACE and estimate cognitive impairment burden in the context of routine clinic care. BRACE was also shown to have good psychometric properties. This easy-to-use tool in clinical settings may facilitate the care needs of people with HIV as cognitive impairment continues to remain a concern in people with HIV.”
Conclusion
This case study demonstrates my ability to lead a full-cycle design project, from research through implementation, highlighting my skills in user-centered design, accessibility, and collaboration. The successful redesign of the BRACE app has contributed to enhanced data collection and participant experience in ongoing HIV research.
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isabelmbagheri@gmail.com
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