Navigating Heart Health: A Patient-First Approach
Navigating Heart Health: A Patient-First Approach
Navigating Heart Health:
A Patient-First Approach
Problem Statement: A lack of clear instruction and guidance on how patients can manage heart disease and other cardiovascular diseases can result in reduced treatment adherence and the worsening of symptoms.
The Story Behind the Problem
The Story Behind the Problem
The Story Behind the Problem
The Story Behind the Problem
Client:
AdventHealth Avista
My Role:
Product Designer and Researcher
Duration:
Sep 2024 - Jan 2025
Services Provided:
Product Design, Research
Imagine this: A heart disease patient is discharged from the hospital with a thick stack of medical papers, a list of medications they don’t fully understand, and a vague memory of what their doctor told them in the rush of discharge. They’re overwhelmed. Confused. Unsure of what to do next.
This is the reality for thousands of patients managing heart disease, a condition that requires strict adherence to treatment, lifestyle changes, and ongoing monitoring. Non-compliance isn’t just an inconvenience; it’s a life-threatening risk.
Imagine this: A heart disease patient is discharged from the hospital with a thick stack of medical papers, a list of medications they don’t fully understand, and a vague memory of what their doctor told them in the rush of discharge. They’re overwhelmed. Confused. Unsure of what to do next.
This is the reality for thousands of patients managing heart disease, a condition that requires strict adherence to treatment, lifestyle changes, and ongoing monitoring. Non-compliance isn’t just an inconvenience; it’s a life-threatening risk.
The Challenge We Took On:
The Challenge We Took On:
In collaboration with AdventHealth Avista, our team set out to solve a pressing issue:
💔 Patients were struggling to stay on top of their treatment plans.
💔 Existing hospital discharge materials were dense, difficult to navigate, and easy to lose.
💔 Patients lacked clear, actionable tools to track their progress.
Our goal? Design an intuitive, accessible solution that empowers patients to take control of their heart health.
In collaboration with AdventHealth Avista, our team set out to solve a pressing issue:
💔 Patients were struggling to stay on top of their treatment plans.
💔 Existing hospital discharge materials were dense, difficult to navigate, and easy to lose.
💔 Patients lacked clear, actionable tools to track their progress.
Our goal? Design an intuitive, accessible solution that empowers patients to take control of their heart health.
In collaboration with AdventHealth Avista, our team set out to solve a pressing issue:
💔 Patients were struggling to stay on top of their treatment plans.
💔 Existing hospital discharge materials were dense, difficult to navigate, and easy to lose.
💔 Patients lacked clear, actionable tools to track their progress.
Our goal? Design an intuitive, accessible solution that empowers patients to take control of their heart health.
In collaboration with AdventHealth Avista, our team set out to solve a pressing issue:
💔 Patients were struggling to stay on top of their treatment plans.
💔 Existing hospital discharge materials were dense, difficult to navigate, and easy to lose.
💔 Patients lacked clear, actionable tools to track their progress.
Our goal? Design an intuitive, accessible solution that empowers patients to take control of their heart health.
Our Human-Centered Approach
We didn’t start with assumptions, we started with listening. Through interviews with healthcare providers, patients, and caregivers, we uncovered key insights:
🔹 Medical information is overwhelming – Patients were often confused about their medications, dietary restrictions, and warning signs.
🔹 Digital solutions weren’t the right fit – While tech-based tools are on the rise, many elderly patients preferred physical materials they could flip through easily.
🔹 Lack of accountability tools – Without structured logs and guidance, patients struggled to track their progress.
Armed with this knowledge, we pivoted from an initial digital concept and designed something simple but powerful: The Navigating Heart Health Binder—a physical, interactive guide that patients could use every day to stay on top of their treatment.
Our Human-Centered Approach
We didn’t start with assumptions, we started with listening. Through interviews with healthcare providers, patients, and caregivers, we uncovered key insights:
🔹 Medical information is overwhelming – Patients were often confused about their medications, dietary restrictions, and warning signs.
🔹 Digital solutions weren’t the right fit – While tech-based tools are on the rise, many elderly patients preferred physical materials they could flip through easily.
🔹 Lack of accountability tools – Without structured logs and guidance, patients struggled to track their progress.
Armed with this knowledge, we pivoted from an initial digital concept and designed something simple but powerful: The Navigating Heart Health Binder—a physical, interactive guide that patients could use every day to stay on top of their treatment.
The Evolution of Need Exploration
The Evolution of Need Exploration
Introducing the Navigating Heart Health Binder
Introducing the Navigating Heart Health Binder
This isn’t just a booklet: it’s a companion for heart disease patients.
📖 Easy-to-follow guidance – No medical jargon, just clear explanations of lifestyle changes, medication, and self-care.
📌 Medication & Health Trackers – A structured system for patients to log their blood pressure, weight, and symptoms.
⚡ Emergency Action Plan – Step-by-step guidance on what to do when symptoms worsen.
🩺 Doctor’s Notes & Appointment Prep – A dedicated space to track provider recommendations and prepare for visits.
This isn’t just a booklet: it’s a companion for heart disease patients.
📖 Easy-to-follow guidance – No medical jargon, just clear explanations of lifestyle changes, medication, and self-care.
📌 Medication & Health Trackers – A structured system for patients to log their blood pressure, weight, and symptoms.
⚡ Emergency Action Plan – Step-by-step guidance on what to do when symptoms worsen.
🩺 Doctor’s Notes & Appointment Prep – A dedicated space to track provider recommendations and prepare for visits.
Why It Works:
Why It Works:
✅ Tangible & Accessible – Designed specifically for patients who struggle with digital tools.
✅ Encourages Habit Formation – The binder becomes a daily part of their routine.
✅ Scalable & Cost-Effective – Hospitals can easily print and update content.
✅ Tangible & Accessible – Designed specifically for patients who struggle with digital tools.
✅ Encourages Habit Formation – The binder becomes a daily part of their routine.
✅ Scalable & Cost-Effective – Hospitals can easily print and update content.
From Concept to Impact
We didn’t just design and leave. We tested. We iterated.
✅ User Testing with Patients & Providers – We refined the binder based on real-world feedback, improving navigation and usability.
✅ Integration with Hospital Discharge Processes – We collaborated with AdventHealth Avista to ensure the binder fits seamlessly into their existing workflows.
✅ A Solution Patients Actually Want – Early feedback showed that patients felt more confident in managing their heart health using this tool.
From Concept to Impact
We didn’t just design and leave. We tested. We iterated.
✅ User Testing with Patients & Providers – We refined the binder based on real-world feedback, improving navigation and usability.
✅ Integration with Hospital Discharge Processes – We collaborated with AdventHealth Avista to ensure the binder fits seamlessly into their existing workflows.
✅ A Solution Patients Actually Want – Early feedback showed that patients felt more confident in managing their heart health using this tool.
Final Product Images
Key Takeaways & Lessons Learned
Key Takeaways & Lessons Learned
Key Takeaways & Lessons Learned
Key Takeaways & Lessons Learned
🔹 Tech isn’t always the answer. Our initial instinct was to go digital, but true user needs guided us toward a better, more accessible solution.
🔹 Collaboration makes great design stronger. Partnering with healthcare professionals ensured the feasibility and sustainability of our intervention.
🔹 Designing for real impact means adapting. Pivoting based on user feedback led us to a more effective, patient-first solution.
🔹 Tech isn’t always the answer. Our initial instinct was to go digital, but true user needs guided us toward a better, more accessible solution.
🔹 Collaboration makes great design stronger. Partnering with healthcare professionals ensured the feasibility and sustainability of our intervention.
🔹 Designing for real impact means adapting. Pivoting based on user feedback led us to a more effective, patient-first solution.
Looking Ahead:
Looking Ahead:
The Navigating Heart Health Binder is more than a project—it’s a foundation for better patient care. As we continue working with AdventHealth, we’re focused on:
🚀 Scaling hospital-wide – Expanding implementation across departments.
🚀 Training medical staff – Ensuring smooth adoption by healthcare providers.
🚀 Long-term patient engagement – Tracking success and refining for even better outcomes.
This project wasn’t just about designing a product—it was about changing the patient experience. And that’s the kind of impact that lasts.
The Navigating Heart Health Binder is more than a project—it’s a foundation for better patient care. As we continue working with AdventHealth, we’re focused on:
🚀 Scaling hospital-wide – Expanding implementation across departments.
🚀 Training medical staff – Ensuring smooth adoption by healthcare providers.
🚀 Long-term patient engagement – Tracking success and refining for even better outcomes.
This project wasn’t just about designing a product—it was about changing the patient experience. And that’s the kind of impact that lasts.