I spearheaded the UX Research & Design of AsthmaHero, CoHero Health's pediatric asthma application concept. My healthcare experience and rigorous research background paired well with expanding the bright and adventurous branding.
AsthmaHero underwent two main iterative design processes.
The Original
CoHero needed help making the pediatric app concept more usable.
Dr. Manice designed this original AsthmaHero with her clinical research knowledge. It needed a redesign to be appropriate for a pediatric patient.
Health Data Developments
Reorganizing the hierarchy of data displayed made the app easier to use.
First big redesign aimed to bring clarity to when the child needs to take their asthma medication, as well as providing them exciting game & reward incentives for adherence.
Fleshing it out
Incorporating official Asthma Action Plan, creating educational games & rewards.
Medical insight steered my UX decisions in onboarding. I centered the user experience to be as relatable to the patient experience as possible.
What could prevent adverse pediatric asthma events?
Exploring the opportunity
With extensive research into the competitive landscape, the friction between patient understanding and management of care, and the medical reality of therapeutic effects in relation to medication adherence, diving into the details of asthma care was crucial.
Neilson Norman model Heuristic Analysis & product opportunity.
Discovery interview and competitive analysis.
Armed with Information
I translated an Asthma Action Plan into a feedback model of care that prevents asthma attacks before they occur with CoHero's Spirometer and "HeroTracker" Bluetooth-enabled inhaler strap.
An app that was initially only tracking adherence could now center the patient, giving much needed context into rescue inhaler uses and lung function from a familiar perspective.
A pediatric environment for a pediatric patient.
Incentivizing Action
A “Puff Countdown” for the medication window, tied to rewards, keeps kids on schedule.
Self-Efficacy as Strategy
Research pointed to confidence as a key factor in health outcomes. Age-appropriate asthma information was essential.
spirometer battles & the gamification of education
Every action the child takes is guided by their Asthma Action Plan or improving their knowledge. Aligning the hero's adventures with spirometer readings provides important data while also using gamification to encourage accurate readings, exhaling the full 6 seconds, which pediatric patients struggle to do. I also designed games centered around competent inhaler practice and asthma triggers.
adventure & rewards in asthma care
By tying stars and coins to medication adherence, Action Plan events, and AsthmaHero games, the app helps maintain the appropriate therapeutic dosage while making it an enjoyable environment with digital and customizable rewards for children.
Trigger actions & information
Important notifications inform parents of adverse events and allow intervention to help children get back on track.
Exciting reminders for the child invite them to play the games that maintain their daily schedule.
Refocusing the user experience on patient management realities.
From adherence to a meaningful system of well-being
The original system only measured medication adherence. Since a patient could technically have great adherence but poor asthma control, integrating the Asthma Action Plan into the feedback design with the HeroTracker and Spirometer was important for providing context about the child's “zone” of asthma control.
Clarity in data presentation
This app bridges the data divide between patient, parent, and provider as they understand how controlled the asthma is, or if adjustments need to be made. Green, yellow, and red calendars of adherence, rescue usages, and spirometer insight provide a health overview.
My contract with CoHero was fascinating work, full of opportunity to apply my healthcare and research background. By harnessing the strap and spirometer technology in the world of asthma, patient outcomes improve while decreasing ER costs - everyone wins!