Deyra
Problem Statement
Project Overview
/ Context
Lebanon faces significant challenges in treating eating disorders effectively due to fragmented communication between dieticians and psychologists. Cultural stigma against mental health further complicates the treatment journey.
/ Challenges
Patients with eating disorders often relapse due to the lack of coordinated care between dieticians and psychologists. The existing treatment approaches in Lebanon are outdated and fail to integrate modern service design principles.
/ Objectives
To develop a collaborative service system that enhances communication between specialists, reduces patient relapse rates, and integrates modern technology into the treatment process.
University: Politecnico di Milano, MSc Product Service System Design
Project Duration: Academic Year 2020/2021
Project Type: Service Design, UX Design
Your Role: Lead Designer and Researcher
Team Members: Individual project, supervised by Prof. Beatrice Villari
Research and Insights
/ User Research
Extensive research was conducted through surveys and interviews with dieticians, psychologists, and patients in Lebanon. The research highlighted the gaps in communication and the cultural stigma associated with psychological treatment.
/ Key Findings
The primary issues include a lack of integrated treatment plans, insufficient psychological awareness among dieticians, and a strong cultural bias against seeking psychological help.
/ Personas and Journey Maps
Created personas representing typical patients suffering from eating disorders, including their frustrations and challenges in navigating the healthcare system in Lebanon.
Design Process
/ Ideation
Brainstormed potential solutions focusing on creating a seamless communication platform for all stakeholders involved in the treatment process.
/ Concept Development
Developed the concept of DEYRA, a collaborative service system that includes an application to facilitate communication and data sharing between dieticians, psychologists, and patients.
/ Wireframes and Prototypes
Created wireframes and prototypes for the DEYRA application, focusing on user-friendly interfaces and seamless integration of communication tools.
/ User Testing
The DEYRA prototype was tested in multiple rounds with patients, dieticians, and psychologists. Feedback was used to refine the design and improve the usability of the platform.
Final Solution
/ Design Overview
DEYRA is a collaborative service system designed to connect dieticians and psychologists with their patients in a cohesive treatment journey. The system includes features like patient data tracking, communication tools, and progress monitoring.
/ Key Features
1. Integrated communication platform for specialists and patients.
2. Digital storage of patient data accessible to both dieticians and psychologists, and more.
3. Patient progress tracking with alerts to prevent relapse.
/ Visuals
High-fidelity mockups of the DEYRA app interface, showcasing the key features and user journey through the app.
/ Design Artifacts
Service blueprints, system maps, and journey maps detailing the current (as-is) and proposed (to-be) states of the treatment journey.
Reflections and Learnings
/ Challenges Faced
Overcoming the cultural stigma associated with psychological treatment in Lebanon was a significant challenge. Additionally, ensuring smooth communication between dieticians and psychologists required innovative design solutions.
/ Solutions
Focused on creating an intuitive and accessible platform that encourages patients to engage with both dieticians and psychologists without the stigma.
/ Key Takeaways
The importance of integrating service design with modern technology to address complex healthcare challenges. The project also reinforced the need for empathy and user-centric design in creating effective solutions.