infoMED: Interactive Application for Surgeons

This project started with an idea from a medical professor and required researching the problem and context of our users to developing a mid-fidelity prototype. Our problem focused on providing a standardized way for residents and attending surgeons to debrief after surgery. We first spent time understanding how residency is structured and the current teaching style within the surgery. We researched the current climate of medical training and interviewed individuals on their personal experiences. As we developed an understanding of the context and needs, we started to considered ways to reach these goals. Once we decided on the solution, we began to develop user storylines and flows focusing on how to offer a learning and teaching experience that would mitigate many of the issues that we cannot control within the medical community while offering a pathway for a resident to continue to improve their skills. We then used Figma to develop a tablet application that allowed residents to track and reflect on their skills while receiving constructive feedback from their attending physicians (or surgeons).

While working on this project, I found that empathy was a vital tool to good design. I began this project with an extremely limited knowledge of surgery and what it meant to be a resident or attending. Engaging in research and contextual inquiry allowed me to understand the concerns and challenges in training and developing successful surgeons. Understanding context, developing personas, and envisioning goals for success helped me contribute to a stronger and more user-focused application.