Geneticx - Case study
Geneticx is an application for Genetics laboratories, with the main objective of deepening the experience of receiving tests and integrating the results into the users' routine, promoting the creation of healthier habits.
Project duration:
The project started in February 2024 and ended in April 2024.
Totaling 2 months
Target Audience:
Adults who are well connected to health or who want to seek self-knowledge
My role:
UX Designer; Creating the entire application from the beginning to the end of the project.
Responsibilities:
In the project I was in charge of doing all the conceptualization, competitive audit, wireframes, usability study, low and high fidelity prototypes, as well as other important details of data analysis.
The problem:
Two main problems were found:
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How to make genetic tests more popular and understandable for the entire population, avoiding the use of jargon and simplifying the results to ensure a real understanding of how to apply them in the user's daily life.
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How to integrate an application that would be used occasionally in the user's daily routine?
Goal:
Create an application that serves as daily support for exam results, helping to build more balanced routines based on these results, and thus promoting a more prosperous future.
Desk Research
"Genetic testing is essential for the implementation of preventive measures, early detection and personalized intervention in cancer. It is therefore crucial to raise public awareness of the importance of genetic testing as an essential part of cancer prevention and treatment."
DB Molecular
According to a survey by the international consultancy App Annie, the total number of downloads of these applications grew by 45% in Brazil, compared to 2019. The number is higher than the global increase, which was 30%.
45 %
92,9 %
The number of healthtechs in Brazil
of Brazilian users stop using any app after the first 14 days of downloading it
increased 16.11%
between 2019 and 2022
Research: Tele.síntese
Research: Liga Ventures in partnership with consultancy PwC
Understanding the user
A survey was carried out with four people to answer the main question "What are the challenges people face when they receive a test result?" I then listed seven more questions to get an answer to each person's situation.
Problematic Aspects
Movement/Bureaucracies
One of the main problems reported is the difficulty of getting around to take a test and the bureaucracy associated with the process, such as the delay in obtaining the results and the difficulty in scheduling the test.
Daily use of apps
Many people now only use their browser to access their exams. How can we encourage customers or potential users to download and use the app?
Difficulty understanding the results
Many people are unfamiliar with medical terms and, when they receive a test, are so confused that they turn to Google to understand each meaning.
Applications that are difficult to use
Applications with low functionality and slow access, discouraging the app from remaining on the cell phone.
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Problem Statement
Armando Pereira is an HR Manager for a multinational with little time who needs to take a genetic exam for ancestry quickly and practically, because he wants to know more about the history of his ancestors and promote a trip with his wife to a place that be part of your story.
Problem Statement
Beatriz Costa is an economics student who likes to take care of herself and needs to take a predictive genetics test so that she can understand the result because an important person in her family died of cancer and she wants to study more about how to take care of herself and the likelihood of having the disease in her gene.
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Paper wireframes
The paper wireframes were an important part of the whole process of producing the app, as they made it possible to see the feasibility of the project and identify what needed to be done to achieve it.
Login
Checkout 1
Routines Access
Checkout 2
Digital wireframes
The paper wireframes were an important part of the entire application production process, as they allowed us to understand the viability of the project and identify what needed to be done to achieve it.
Bar with access to profile and notifications
Navigation Bar with Home, routines, results, requests and queries
Home body, offering several options to achieve the same result, without relying exclusively on the navigation bar.
Doctors available to schedule an appointment
Box showing whether the appointment was scheduled or not
Return to the originating frame
Routine created by receiving results with multiple performance trackers.
Progress bar
User registration data
Low-fidelity prototypes
In the low-fidelity prototype, it was possible to understand how the project's interconnections would be made, making visualization easier for the future.
Access the low-fidelity prototype on Figma at this LINK
Usability study
The usability study was carried out to understand the specific difficulties faced by users when trying to complete the main tasks of the genetics laboratory app, including purchasing packages in the app, making appointments, using the routines, reading articles and understanding the results.
To do this, we carried out a moderate usability study remotely, at the homes of the 5 participants analyzed. The study yielded the following findings:
1
40% of participants had difficulty finding the notifications, so it was decided to modify them.
2
There is a need to improve the location of articles and facilitate direct access to those that the user wants to read.
In the slider section,
The most interesting articles will be included, allowing users to access them before they even scroll for the first time on the home screen.
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Before the usability study
After the usability study
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Before the usability study
After the usability study
3
It was noted that there was a need to create a confirmation page to deselect the appointment, in order to avoid accidental clicks.
Before the usability study
Inserted after the usability study
Crafting the form of the application
Based on the usability tests carried out with the participants and the guidelines established in the wireframes, the UI part of the design was developed. This stage made it possible to shape the project, taking into account aspects such as usability, accessibility and visual aesthetics.
In addition, after this phase, a second round of usability testing of the design was carried out to further guarantee the effectiveness and quality of the user experience.
Second usability study
In the second visibility study, attention was mainly directed to design issues and the improvement of interaction processes in the app, aiming to improve the user experience and increase engagement with the app.
To this end, we carried out a moderated usability study remotely, carried out in the homes of the 3 participants analyzed. With this study we had the following findings:
1
The need to include a FAQ page or a chatbot was identified so that users can clarify their doubts quickly and directly.
2
Add more data saving confirmation buttons after profile modification, ensuring that the user is informed when their changes have been successfully saved.
3
Introduce notifications for routines and the routine gallery, allowing users to be alerted to new additions or relevant updates.
Before the usability study
After the usability study
Chatbot
Before the usability study
Before the usability study
After the usability study
Before the usability study
After the usability study
Accessibility
A text change was added, replacing "read, see here" with "learn more", among other titles, to ensure inclusion of all people.
The accessibility plugin was used to check that the application was really accessible in terms of colors, font sizes and contrasts.
Final design
I believe that the impact of the design would be significant in the lives of many people who consider health a priority. Combined with examinations and a proper routine provided by the app, the user will become even more aware of what is happening inside and outside their body.
During the usability test, one user commented: 'The app is clean and easy to understand - the notifications are easy to use and the shopping section is more organized than on many other websites.
The final prototype is available on Figma at this LINK
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Results
The main objective:
Develop a functional and intuitive application , accessible even to lay users, with the purpose of facilitating the understanding of the information provided by the genetics laboratory test results.
Focus shift :
Over time and analysis of the project, a slight change in direction occurred, aiming to transform the application into a tool for daily use . Due to the need to offer users a reason to continue using the application beyond simply viewing the initial test results, preventing the existence of the application on the cell phone from quickly becoming obsolete after the first use.
Solutions:
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To make the app even more useful, the "Routines" feature was implemented, providing a space for users to monitor and modify their habits based on the results obtained, preventing genetics from dominating over habits.
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The results section was designed to offer diverse content, including text, videos, images and graphics, making the content more accessible and easier to understand.
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A whole range of support has been thought of, such as consultations and a chatbot to answer questions, to make the app and the plan even easier for the user to understand. Providing a complete and satisfying experience.
Result:
I managed to achieve the main objective and create an app that is easy to use and organized. During the usability tests, 80% of users said they would want to use the app if they had the chance and would incorporate it into their daily routines.
