TREM
EPILEPSY APP FOR PATIENTS
Organized or not, you can't remember everything.
Remembering dates and times of seizure activity is important not only for patients, but also for their doctor. This app provides a way to log seizure activity as well as remind patients of important dates regarding medications and appointments.
Goal:
Provide a tool that helps epilepsy patients and loved ones record seizure activity and remind them of various schedules.
Role and Skills:
UX/UI designer and researcher
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used research to create the information architecture
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flow visually with wireframes
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designed digital screens for an app prototype
Deliverable:
Trem is a prototype of a minimalist and intuitive application for epilepsy patients and their loved ones to record seizure activity, appointments, and schedules.
RESEARCH
This project began with brainstorming content from my personal experiences. Neurologists ask for dates and duration of recent episodes, which is often times difficult to remember. I wanted to know what others' experiences were. I researched these experiences looking through online forums.
I searched forums about epilepsy patient care and how they keep track of their seizure activity. What is the variety and why?
ONLINE FORUM FOR PATIENTS AND LOVED ONES
Patients are using apps not intended for seizure tracking or physical tools:
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menstrual cycle tracking apps
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Notes app native to their phone's operating system
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Excel spreadsheets
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planners or notebooks
Reinforcing the "why" of tracking seizure activity
ASKING PATIENTS ONLINE
What are you looking for in a tracking app?
User 1:
User 2:
User 3:
"Dr. contact, emergency contact"
"Time and duration"
"Medicine side effect log, triggers, cbd oil strains that are most effective, a comment section"
HEALTHCARE PROFESSIONAL
I interviewed a neurologist specializing in epilepsy and interactions with patients. What is a healthcare professional looking for?
Information needed from patients:
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seizure and aura frequency
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change in seizure activity with change in medication
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description of seizures and auras - sudden, time, type
INSIGHTS AND ISSUES
Needs of both patients and doctors include:
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tracking and logging of information about their seizures - time and duration
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contact information - doctor and emergency
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cause and different factors of their seizures
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frequency of seizures
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correlation between seizures and medication
INFORMATION ARCHITECTURE
I sketched page information and organized the pages in an information architecture diagram that prioritizes information patients need most, allowing for easy visualization of the content.
I combined the "info for others" and "meds" into one page to simplify user experience. With fewer pages and reorganization, there are fewer paths to navigate.
WIREFRAMES
Before creating frames using a design program, I sketched wireframes based on the information architecture to visualize the flow. The final flow is organized to be simpler, making tracking fast and easy for users.
Adding
I added a button on the top right corner that allows users to quickly add an entry to whichever page they're on.
Editing and Deleting
Interactions were changed to a slide motion, similar to the slide motion in Apple iOS text messaging and Gmail inbox.
ITERATIONS
I updated the interactions of the adding, editing, and deleting functions to create smoother, quicker navigation. Functions are more accessible.
Adding, Editing, Deleting - V1
Adding, Editing, Deleting - V2
Adding
Button in the top right corner allows users to add an entry to whichever page they're on.
Editing and Deleting
The slide motion mimics Apple iOS text messaging and Gmail inbox.
Adding, Editing, Deleting - V3 (Current)
Format (throughout app)
Dates are formatted with month name instead of month number to ease consumption of information. There is no confusion between mm/dd/yy and dd/mm/yy.
VISUAL EXPLORATIONS
I explored several colorways, ultimately deciding on a purple theme to replicate and mirror the color that represents epilepsy awareness. While exploring the different hues of purple, I kept in mind mood, straying away from gray tones.
FINAL SCREENS - MAIN INTERACTIONS
TREM APP
Trem is a minimalist design for intuitive navigation and easy experience for users.
The color scheme is simple and uses the recognized color for epilepsy awareness.
Trem addresses:
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tracking and logging of information seizure descriptions - time and duration
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frequency of seizures
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schedules of appointments, refills, and times to take medication
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contact information - doctor and emergency
ENHANCEMENTS FOR THE FUTURE
To further the use and experience of this app, I would add several parts:
DETAILS TO ENTRIES
For each entry, I would include the capability to add notes about the seizure or aura. Was anything about the episode different or out of the ordinary? What were possible triggers - light, stress, etc.? Such details and notes would help both the patients and doctors understand the individual's condition.
INTEGRATION OF ADDITIONAL TECHNOLOGY
Technology like smart watches would sync with the app. For gran mal seizures, if the user is convulsing, the watch would note the activity and prompt the app or watch to ask if the activity was a seizure. This would assist both immediately and later. In the immediate sense, the watch or app could alert emergency contact(s) or emergency response services. Date and duration could then be added to activity entries.