iura
Research Fellowship Recipient
A unique physician pairing system that goes beyond superficial criteria. This project has received recognition from San Jose State's Research Fellowship Program and has been honored with multiple funding awards.
Timeline
Fall 2021 - May 2023
Group Project
Grant Research
PROBLEMMy Role
Primary research
Ux / Ui ideation for search features
Interview recruiting & coordination
Implicit biases prevent people from finding gynecologists who prioritize their individual needs
Health inequity remains a prevalent and pressing safety concern. Legislation, unsafe medical practices, and inadequate sex education for the youth collectively contribute to this significant problem. This sparked the question - how can we find a way to connect people to doctors that are committed to challenging these biases?
THE APPROACHBy utilizing social technology we can help people find doctors who align with their needs and values beyond the surface level
Prompt patients to select their behavioral values for physical, mental, cultural, and relational aspects
Enables a deeper understanding of individual needs and preferences
Customizing the experience
Patients have the autonomy to decide the importance of a particular characteristic and its values for their physicians
Listed values are dropped in from the patient’s selection during the onboarding process
Giving the power to patients
Level 1 - provides an overview of top matches
Level 2 - visual representation of physician-patient alignment on a categorical level
Level 3 - visual representation of physician-patient alignment on a value level
Analyzing the physicians
Giving people the power to review doctors based on the values they claim to uphold
Connect with other iura members to learn about their experiences
The impact of community
WHITE PAPER RESEARCHInadequate reproductive care remains an ongoing concern in different regions
Starting with white paper research, we began to draw from research articles on the topic of gynecology abuse, reproductive rights, and healthcare biases - when we stumbled upon an eye-opening fact from the World Health Organization:
“…30% of women in marginalized communities suffer higher mortality rates during childbirth. Things such as language barriers and regressive legislation hinder their access to the care they rightfully deserve”
COMPETATIVE ANALYSIS + THE GAPExisting physician locator applications rely solely on generic surface level filtering systems
Our research on health inequity revealed that focusing solely on broad factors such as filtering doctors by race, gender, and age has not led to a tailored and equitable experience for patients. We recognized the need to bring something unique and more exploratory to the oversaturated market.
USER INTERVIEWSMy interviewees were 3x more likely to avoid going to the gynecologist altogether instead of putting themselves in an unpredictable environment
After gathering substantial data on healthcare disparities in Western society, I interviewed 10 participants who shared their journeys in finding suitable gynecologists. Through specific questions, I identified recurring challenges in building trust with doctors. I subsequently structured my findings using affinity mapping.
RESEARCH QUESTIONS:
What are some key things that you look for when searching for a gynecologist? Why are those parameters important to you?
Can you tell me what the most challenging part of the search was?
What do you wish physicians would disclose about themselves before you booked an appointment with them?
What kinds of emotions and reactions come up for you during this process?
Do you use your community or any other outside resources?
THE MAIN INSIGHTWe decided that iura must represent four main concepts for people - autonomy, agency, reassurance, and inclusivity
Analyzing the affinity maps, we recognized the importance of thorough exploration to create a concept that would resonate with as many identities as possible. Health inequity, deeply rooted in systematic racial and class distinctions, demands an approach that empowers the majority to feel acknowledged.
Interacting with gynecologists to understand their perspective
To better understand the challenges and empathize with patients and physicians, we engaged with gynecologists who were willing to share their insights. Through these connections, we learned about the existing gaps and improvements made in the field along with getting valuable feedback on our designs.
DIVING DEEPER INTO THE CONCEPT
Exploring the idea of finding the “perfect match”
Based on our user interviews, we acknowledged the significance of incorporating individualization features while searching for OBs, enabling people to approach their search with a sense of empowerment. To integrate this concept, we conducted brainstorming sessions to identify various characteristics and values that people abide by. These were organized to foster autonomy across mental, cultural, physical, and relational behavioral aspects.
Embracing Diversity
Socially driven communities provide platforms for sharing experiences, fostering dialogue, and raising awareness about the importance of diversity in OBGYN care. By encouraging community driven representation, we can cultivate a more equitable and empathetic healthcare landscape.