Overview

Problem

Timeline

Research & Ideation

Design Process

Final Design

Challenges & Limitations

Conclusion

Contribution

Telemedicine for Rural Eye Care

Telemedicine for Rural Areas

2023

Telemedicine for Rural Eye Care

Telemedicine for Rural Areas

2023

Telemedicine for Rural Eye Care

Telemedicine for Rural Areas

2023

Healthcare

School Project

The project focuses on building accessible healthcare solutions for all through telemedicine. We chose SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being, aiming to bridge gaps for disadvantaged groups with limited access to telehealth services. . The outcome aspires to deliver timely care to vulnerable populations, while addressing barriers like equipment costs and connectivity challenges.

Team

Sriram Hemanth Kumar

Rutuja Patil

Monisha Vimal Mansukhani

Zainab Hassani

Nikita Juriasinghani

Tools

Figma

Photoshop

Miro

Google Docs

Duration

1 month

Problem

How can telemedicine be leveraged to elevate the quality of eye care in rural areas, while fostering sustainability, affordability, and accessibility?

Timeline

Week 1

Identify Project Goal

Narrowing down the target user base and finding the potential usersfor doing interviews.

Week 1

Identify Project Goal

Narrowing down the target user base and finding the potential usersfor doing interviews.

Week 1

Identify Project Goal

Narrowing down the target user base and finding the potential usersfor doing interviews.

Week 1 - 2

Secondary research

Mapped out the journey of each persona to understand the potential pain areas

Week 1 - 2

Secondary research

Mapped out the journey of each persona to understand the potential pain areas

Week 1 - 2

Secondary research

Mapped out the journey of each persona to understand the potential pain areas

Week 2

Interview

1 on 1 user interviews to understand user’s mindset.

Week 2

Interview

1 on 1 user interviews to understand user’s mindset.

Week 2

Interview

1 on 1 user interviews to understand user’s mindset.

Week 2 - 3

Define Problem Statement

Based on the primary research and secondary research to define the problem statements.

Week 2 - 3

Define Problem Statement

Based on the primary research and secondary research to define the problem statements.

Week 2 - 3

Define Problem Statement

Based on the primary research and secondary research to define the problem statements.

Week 3 - 4

Sketch for Solutions

Quickly sketching our ideas based on the problem statements.

Week 3 - 4

Sketch for Solutions

Quickly sketching our ideas based on the problem statements.

Week 3 - 4

Sketch for Solutions

Quickly sketching our ideas based on the problem statements.

Week 4

Prototype

Based on usability testing to update the low-fidelity wireframe.

Week 4

Prototype

Based on usability testing to update the low-fidelity wireframe.

Week 4

Prototype

Based on usability testing to update the low-fidelity wireframe.

Research and Ideation

Secondary Research

Extensive literature review on telehealth in rural health disparities, telemedicine outcomes, and visual acuity testing.

Access Challenges in Rural Areas

23.5 minutes

average rural travel time to a primary care doctor.

23.5 minutes

average rural travel time to a primary care doctor.

23.5 minutes

average rural travel time to a primary care doctor.

52%

of rural residents see transportation as a barrier.

52%

of rural residents see transportation as a barrier.

52%

of rural residents see transportation as a barrier.

72%

72% of rural Americans have broadband at home

72%

72% of rural Americans have broadband at home

72%

72% of rural Americans have broadband at home

Rural patients had significantly lower telemedicine use during COVID-19 compared to urban .

Telemedicine Adoption & Acceptance

Rural patients had significantly lower telemedicine use during COVID-19 compared to urban.

of rural respondents were open to using telehealth

88%

of rural respondents were open to using telehealth

88%

of rural respondents were open to using telehealth

88%

of rural respondents were open to using telehealth

76.5%

reported telehealth experiences as beneficial.

76.5%

reported telehealth experiences as beneficial.

76.5%

reported telehealth experiences as beneficial.

Barriers to Telemedicine

Video-based consultations had higher satisfaction (M = 4.18) than phone-only calls (M = 3.79)

Connectivity issues and lack of trust in technology reported across multiple studies

75%

of providers said the need for physical exams limits telemedicine’s use

75%

of providers said the need for physical exams limits telemedicine’s use

75%

of providers said the need for physical exams limits telemedicine’s use

Opportunities & Impact

AR/VR and mobile apps show promise for remote diagnostics and engagement.

Telemedicine reduces travel costs, improves access to specialists, and enhances patient satisfaction

Teleophthalmology in rural India enabled real-time diagnoses and timely referrals

Primary Research

We conducted user interviews to understand the challenges faced in accessing eye care in rural areas.

Key insights from Interviews

Urban and rural patients both face long waiting times.

Scheduling timely appointments is difficult, especially for patients with family obligations.

Long journeys and familial responsibilities make patients reluctant to travel far.

Interviewees thought that telemedicine lacked a personal touch.

Patients concerned   about the accuracy   and thoroughness   of virtual tests.

Interviewees mentioned that virtual care had limitations when treating serious eye injuries.

All interviewees were enthusiastic about potential telemedicine solutions.

Interviewees liked the convenience of virtual check-ups and follow-up appointments.

Interviewees enjoy the flexibility of virtual appointments.

Synthesis

Experience mapping and affinity mapping to identify key pain points and user needs.

Experience Map

Affinity Mapping

Concepts Explored

Home Kit + Mobile App

A self-test kit with a mobile app for remote eye care access.

Mobile Health Van

A traveling van providing eye care services in rural areas.

Wayfinding Integrated Kiosk

A self-service kiosk with guided procedures for eye testing.

Multifunctional Kiosk

A comprehensive solution integrating the best elements from the previous concepts.

Storyboard

Before finalizing our solution, we mapped the patient’s experience through a storyboard to understand their journey with telemedicine. This helped us visualize moments of uncertainty, reliance on intermediaries, and the need for accessible consultations. By stepping into the user’s shoes, we identified critical touchpoints where technology could simplify access to care. These early visuals shaped the direction of our solution, aiming to bring specialist consultations closer to underserved communities.

Bill needs to go see an eye specialist for a consultation.

The kiosk technician asks Bill some questions off   a questionnaire.

Bill goes to the pharmacist, who also acts as the kiosk technician.

Scenario 1: The kiosk technician gives Bill his test directly.

The kiosk technician asks Bill some questions off   a questionnaire.

Scenario 2: Bill virtually meets with an eye care specialist.

Design Process

Wireframing

Created initial and final wireframes for the Eye Care Connect Kiosk interface focusing on user-friendliness and efficiency.

Usability Testing

Methodology

Qualitative approach with observational techniques and open-ended feedback.

“This can save me a lot of time and the hassle of traveling just to get my eyes checked. This aspect of the kiosk is something I really appreciate”

Madhur

Student

|

24

“This can save me a lot of time and the hassle of traveling just to get my eyes checked. This aspect of the kiosk is something I really appreciate”

Madhur

Student

|

24

“This can save me a lot of time and the hassle of traveling just to get my eyes checked. This aspect of the kiosk is something I really appreciate”

Madhur

Student

|

24

“Although I see the benefits of this kiosk, my concern lies with its accuracy. I believe having a trained assistant available to guide users through the process would be immensely beneficial.”

Akshay

Student

|

27

“Although I see the benefits of this kiosk, my concern lies with its accuracy. I believe having a trained assistant available to guide users through the process would be immensely beneficial.”

Akshay

Student

|

27

“Although I see the benefits of this kiosk, my concern lies with its accuracy. I believe having a trained assistant available to guide users through the process would be immensely beneficial.”

Akshay

Student

|

27 Results and Feedback

Insights on the kiosk's utility, concerns about accuracy, and suggestions for improvement.

Final Design

Eye Care   Connect Kiosk

Provides patients with an accessible, local solution for eye care

Mitigates the impersonal aspects of telemedicine by having the kiosk technician act as an in-person intermediary between patient and doctor

Reduces the cost of traveling to see an eye care specialist

Ensures patient privacy through the use of dividers to protect patient information

Login

The first thing our user does when interacting with our kiosk is to tap or swipe their card, which pulls their medical information.

Symptom Quiz

The kiosk then recommends tests based on what issues the person is having.

Visual Acuity Test

In this example, the patient is experiencing blurred vision, and the kiosk has recommended that they take a visual acuity test.

Test Analysis & Scheduling Appointment

Following the test, the kiosk analyzes the patient’s results.

After the kiosk runs its analyses, the patient has two options,. Either, they can print out their results and leave. Or, they can take their results to the kiosk technician, and they’ll help set up an appointment between the then and an Ete Care Connect partnered doctor with the technician acting as an intermediary.

Challenges and Limitations

Accuracy of Tests

Concerns about the reliability of kiosk-conducted tests.

Adoption Hesitance

Resistance to new technologies in rural areas.

Digital Literacy

A barrier to effective interaction with the kiosk.

Conclusion

Impact

The telemedicine project shows promise in addressing eye care accessibility issues in rural areas, though challenges in adoption and technology use remain.

Future Scope

Continuous refinement, collaboration with healthcare providers, and integration of AI for screenings.

Contribution

Conducted insightful interviews to gather essential data to identify pain points.
Conducted in-depth secondary research together valuable insights.
Collaborated with the team to develop an affinity diagram, to refine the problem space.
Actively participated in brainstorming sessions, contributing to the ideation process, narrowing down concepts to arrive at the final design solution.
Designed the initial wireframe and iterated to produce the final prototype.
Conducted usability testing to collect valuable feedback.
Co-authored the digital documentation.

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