Artefact Traverse System
Artefact Traverse System
Role: Research, UX + UI Design
Role: Research, UX + UI Design
Team: Lead, Researcher, Designers (2)
Team: Lead, Researcher, Designers (2)
Timing: 6 months | 2019
Timing: 6 months | 2019
OVERVIEW
OVERVIEW
OVERVIEW
U.S. healthcare often overlooks the diverse identities of patients, which limits access, experience, and outcomes, particularly for historically marginalized groups. To address this issue, I collaborated with Artefact to envision Traverse, a digital system that utilizes AI and natural language processing to facilitate culturally responsive interactions in primary care.
Although Traverse was initially developed as a marketing initiative, it engaged health-tech leaders and revealed valuable insights, enhancing Artefact’s understanding of emerging trends such as AI-enabled care. Additionally, it helped position us as forward-thinking partners at the intersection of healthcare and technology. The information below focuses on my team’s and my design process, while the whole experience is in the Artefact case study linked below.
U.S. healthcare often overlooks the diverse identities of patients, which limits access, experience, and outcomes, particularly for historically marginalized groups. To address this issue, I collaborated with Artefact to envision Traverse, a digital system that utilizes AI and natural language processing to facilitate culturally responsive interactions in primary care.
Although Traverse was initially developed as a marketing initiative, it engaged health-tech leaders and revealed valuable insights, enhancing Artefact’s understanding of emerging trends such as AI-enabled care. Additionally, it helped position us as forward-thinking partners at the intersection of healthcare and technology. The information below focuses on my team’s and my design process, while the whole experience is in the Artefact case study linked below.
DESIGN SOLUTION SNEAK PEAK
DESIGN SOLUTION SNEAK PEAK
DESIGN SOLUTION SNEAK PEAK
Traverse Main Features
Traverse Main Features
Here is a sneak peak of the final design solution. Continue reading for details on the overall project process.
Here is a sneak peak of the final design solution. Continue reading for details on the overall project process.
Powered by a Digital
Identity Wallet
Powered by a Digital
Identity Wallet
The Traverse system is built on top of a digital identity wallet that encrypts all sensitive personal, cultural, social, and familial data shared by patients and stores it in a decentralized manner. A patient’s smartphone acts as the key for unlocking their digital identity with providers who can use the data to seamlessly tailor care unique to patient needs, preferences, and values.
The Traverse system is built on top of a digital identity wallet that encrypts all sensitive personal, cultural, social, and familial data shared by patients and stores it in a decentralized manner. A patient’s smartphone acts as the key for unlocking their digital identity with providers who can use the data to seamlessly tailor care unique to patient needs, preferences, and values.
Connecting Patients to
Best-Fit Providers
Connecting patients to best-fit providers
By leveraging the personal and cultural profiles stored in patient digital identity wallets, Traverse sorts and presents patients with local providers who align with different facets of their background, culture, and identity. Additionally, detailed provider profiles highlight and display reviews from anonymized patients with similar data profiles. These features deliver relevant community insights, helping patients select culturally-aligned healthcare providers.
By leveraging the personal and cultural profiles stored in patient digital identity wallets, Traverse sorts and presents patients with local providers who align with different facets of their background, culture, and identity. Detailed provider profiles highlight and display reviews from anonymized patients with similar data profiles. These features deliver relevant community insights, helping patients select culturally-aligned healthcare providers.
Surfacing Data-Driven Onboarding for Patients
Surfacing Data-Driven Onboarding for Patients
The digital onboarding experience details what to expect during clinical encounters, helping patients avoid uncomfortable surprises with providers. This stage aims to bring familiarity and alleviate anxiety for patients who may experience discomfort or mistrust in clinical and medical systems.
The digital onboarding experience details what to expect during clinical encounters, helping patients avoid uncomfortable surprises with providers. This stage aims to bring familiarity and alleviate anxiety for patients who may experience discomfort or mistrust in clinical and medical systems.
Supporting Dynamic Patient-Provider Conversations
Supporting Dynamic Patient-Provider Conversations
During clinical visits, providers use a tablet that acts as an AI-based digital scribe. Using natural language processing (NLP), the Dynamic Visit feature listens to conversations between patients and providers. It then delivers discussion prompts and relevant resources to providers, which can be accessed in real-time or referenced later.
During clinical visits, providers use a tablet that acts as an AI-based digital scribe. Using natural language processing (NLP), the Dynamic Visit feature listens to conversations between patients and providers. It then delivers discussion prompts and relevant resources to providers, which can be accessed in real-time or referenced later.
Integrating Continuous Education for Providers
Integrating Continuous Education for Providers
Relevant cultural factors the AI scribe presents in patient conversations are re-surfaced and integrated into provider EHR systems for easy reference. Allowing providers to engage more deeply with the information and help outline culturally responsive after-care instructions.
Relevant cultural factors the AI scribe presents in patient conversations are re-surfaced and integrated into provider EHR systems for easy reference. Allowing providers to engage more deeply with the information and help outline culturally responsive after-care instructions.
SECONDARY RESEARCH
SECONDARY RESEARCH
SECONDARY RESEARCH
Identifying the Challenge
Identifying the Challenge
Our desk research identified how the current US healthcare system excludes many factors that acknowledge a patient's personal and cultural identities, negatively affecting care. Though the system is trying, it is not delivering. Why?
Our desk research identified how the current US healthcare system excludes many factors that acknowledge a patient's personal and cultural identities, negatively affecting care. Though the system is trying, it is not delivering. Why?
IDEATION
IDEATION
IDEATION
Prototyping Early Ideas
Prototyping Early Ideas
I prototyped an early onboarding experience to help patients feel seen and supported before their visit. It guided patients in sharing cultural, personal, and care-related contexts, such as identity and communication preferences, while introducing what to expect. By testing this flow, my team and I began understanding how early interactions could shape a richer cultural profile and lay the groundwork for more culturally responsive care.
I prototyped an early onboarding experience to help patients feel seen and supported before their visit. It guided patients in sharing cultural, personal, and care-related contexts, such as identity and communication preferences, while introducing what to expect. By testing this flow, my team and I began understanding how early interactions could shape a richer cultural profile and lay the groundwork for more culturally responsive care.
A culturally responsive journey before, during, and after care visits.
A culturally responsive journey before, during, and after care visits.
TESTING
TESTING
TESTING
Testing Our Assumptions
We shared early prototypes with a variety of patients and providers for their reactions and feedback. On the patient side, we engaged participants from various backgrounds including immigrants with experiences navigating multiple healthcare systems. On the provider side, we engaged nurses, physicians, and a clinical research psychologist experienced working with marginalized patient populations.
No avatars or characters for AI
Initially, we thought AI avatars or characters would make the system feel more engaging and approachable. However, users found them inauthentic and distracting, preferring a seamless, text-based experience that prioritized clear and useful interactions.
Simplify technology used
during visits
We first explored interactions with AR or VR technology to enhance engagement with medical information discussed during visits. However, users saw it as an unnecessary addition, expressing concerns about having to learn new technology and feeling less trust in the experience as a result.
Do not add to provider workload
Providers were excited about Traverse's potential but emphasized the need for seamless integration with existing digital systems. Additionally, they wanted to avoid an added workload and ensure that any technology would enhance care without disrupting visits or increasing duration.
DESIGN
DESIGN
DESIGN
A Human-Centered Visual Language
A Human-Centered Visual Language
A Human-Centered Visual Language
Traverse’s visual design challenged the traditional sterile look of medical software with a warmer, more human-centered aesthetic. Anchored in soft beige tones, the color palette evokes a calming, home-like atmosphere, reflecting the project’s emphasis on personalized care. The typographic system combines serif and sans-serif typefaces to create a clear hierarchy, with bold serif headlines drawing the eye and guiding the focus.
Traverse’s visual design challenged the traditional sterile look of medical software with a warmer, more human-centered aesthetic. Anchored in soft beige tones, the color palette evokes a calming, home-like atmosphere, reflecting the project’s emphasis on personalized care. The typographic system combines serif and sans-serif typefaces to create a clear hierarchy, with bold serif headlines drawing the eye and guiding the focus.
Traverse’s visual design challenged the traditional sterile look of medical software with a warmer, more human-centered aesthetic. Anchored in soft beige tones, the color palette evokes a calming, home-like atmosphere, reflecting the project’s emphasis on personalized care. The typographic system combines serif and sans-serif typefaces to create a clear hierarchy, with bold serif headlines drawing the eye and guiding the focus.
A modular card system organizes complex health and cultural data into digestible, interactive units. Patients can share personal context at their discretion, while providers receive real-time prompts and resources to support responsive care during and after visits. This format enables both sides to engage with sensitive, culturally informed data in an accessible and actionable way.
A modular card system organizes complex health and cultural data into digestible, interactive units. Patients can share personal context at their discretion, while providers receive real-time prompts and resources to support responsive care during and after visits. This format enables both sides to engage with sensitive, culturally informed data in an accessible and actionable way.
A modular card system organizes complex health and cultural data into digestible, interactive units. Patients can share personal context at their discretion, while providers receive real-time prompts and resources to support responsive care during and after visits.
This format enables both sides to engage with sensitive, culturally informed data in an accessible and actionable way.
Patient
Cultural Data Wallet
The data wallet is created through a patient onboarding survey where users consent to sharing information. It encrypts and stores personal, cultural, social, and familial data in a decentralized manner.
Patient
Digital Onboarding
The digital onboarding experience helps set expectations for clinical encounters and reduces uncertainty in care. It allows patients to share concerns and preferences in advance, linking to their data wallet.
Patient
Provider
Dynamic Visit
The Dynamic Visit feature uses AI and natural language processing (NLP) to analyze patient-provider conversations. It provides real-time, culturally responsive prompts and relevant resources to enhance care interactions.
In traditional Chinese medicine, anemia is understood as a holistic blood disorder caused by a deficiency of chi.
You discussed anemia with the patient, which they might have understood differently.
CME course available
Traditional Asian Healing MethodsA local suction is created on the skin with the application of heated cups. People mostly use cupping to relieve conditions that cause pain.
Patient mentioned using cupping regularly as an alternative treatment for lower body pain.
Patient said they are interested in treating with daily iron supplements and may consider vitamin B12 injections.
Provider
Continual Capacity Building
Key patient insights and resources from the Dynamic Visit are resurfaced and integrated into provider EHR systems, strengthening provider capacity to deliver more informed aftercare instructions.
It’s recommended to consume 12-18 milligrams per day of iron through the food you eat.
Increase Iron INTAKE
9:41 AM
EN
Patient
Community Insights
Community Insights are formed through anonymized patient data from similar data profiles to help match with providers and contextualize non-medical interventions within cultural and community frameworks.
FINAL DESIGNS
FINAL DESIGNS
FINAL DESIGNS
Before visit
Identify Wallet: Patient
Digital Care Onboarding: Patient
Digital Care Onboarding: Provider
During visit
Dynamic Visit Feature
After visit
Provider EHR Integration
Patient After Care
Artefact Traverse System
Artefact Traverse System
Role: UX, Visual Design
Team: Lead, Researcher, Designers (2)
Timing: 6 months | 2019
U.S. healthcare often overlooks the diverse identities of patients, which limits access, experience, and outcomes, particularly for historically marginalized groups. To address this issue, I collaborated with Artefact to envision Traverse, a digital system that utilizes AI and natural language processing to facilitate culturally responsive interactions in primary care.
Although Traverse was initially developed as a marketing initiative, it engaged health-tech leaders and revealed valuable insights, enhancing Artefact’s understanding of emerging trends such as AI-enabled care. Additionally, it helped position us as forward-thinking partners at the intersection of healthcare and technology. The information below focuses on my team’s and my design process, while the whole experience is in the Artefact case study linked below.
Traverse Main Features
Traverse Main Features
Here is a sneak peak of the final design solution. Continue reading for details on the overall project process.
Here is a sneak peak of the final design solution. Continue reading for details on the overall project process.
Powered by a Digital Identity Wallet
Powered by a Digital Identity Wallet
The Traverse system is built on top of a digital identity wallet that encrypts all sensitive personal, cultural, social, and familial data shared by patients and stores it in a decentralized manner. A patient’s smartphone acts as the key for unlocking their digital identity with providers who can use the data to seamlessly tailor care unique to patient needs, preferences, and values.
Supporting Dynamic Patient-Provider Conversations
Supporting Dynamic Patient-Provider Conversations
During clinical visits, providers use a tablet that acts as an AI-based digital scribe. Using natural language processing (NLP), the Dynamic Visit feature listens to conversations between patients and providers. It then delivers discussion prompts and relevant resources to providers, which can be accessed in real-time or referenced later.
During clinical visits, providers use a tablet that acts as an AI-based digital scribe. Using natural language processing (NLP), the Dynamic Visit feature listens to conversations between patients and providers. It then delivers discussion prompts and relevant resources to providers, which can be accessed in real-time or referenced later.
Integrating Continuous Education for Providers
Integrating Continuous Education
for Providers
Relevant cultural factors the AI scribe presents in patient conversations are re-surfaced and integrated into provider EHR systems for easy reference. Allowing providers to engage more deeply with the information and help outline culturally responsive after-care instructions.
Relevant cultural factors the AI scribe presents in patient conversations are re-surfaced and integrated into provider EHR systems for easy reference. Allowing providers to engage more deeply with the information and help outline culturally responsive after-care instructions.
Identifying the Challenge
Identifying the Challenge
Our desk research identified how the current US healthcare system excludes many factors that acknowledge a patient's personal and cultural identities, negatively affecting care. Though the system is trying, it is not delivering. Why?
Our desk research identified how the current US healthcare system excludes many factors that acknowledge a patient's personal and cultural identities, negatively affecting care. Though the system is trying, it is not delivering. Why?
Prototyping Early Ideas
Relevant cultural factors the AI scribe presents in patient conversations are re-surfaced and integrated into provider EHR systems for easy reference. Allowing providers to engage more deeply with the information and help outline culturally responsive after-care instructions.
Relevant cultural factors the AI scribe presents in patient conversations are re-surfaced and integrated into provider EHR systems for easy reference. Allowing providers to engage more deeply with the information and help outline culturally responsive after-care instructions.
A culturally responsive journey before, during,
and after care visits.
Patient
Cultural Data Wallet
The data wallet is created through a patient onboarding survey where users consent to sharing information. It encrypts and stores personal, cultural, social, and familial data in a decentralized manner.
Patient
Digital Onboarding
The digital onboarding experience helps set expectations for clinical encounters, reducing uncertainty and enhancing trust in care. It allows patients to share concerns and preferences in advance, linking to their data wallet.
Provider
Continual Capacity Building
Key patient insights and resources from the Dynamic Visit are resurfaced and integrated into provider EHR systems, strengthening provider capacity to deliver more informed aftercare instructions.
In traditional Chinese medicine, anemia is understood as a holistic blood disorder caused by a deficiency of chi.
You discussed anemia with the patient, which they might have understood differently.
CME course available
Traditional Asian Healing MethodsA local suction is created on the skin with the application of heated cups. People mostly use cupping to relieve conditions that cause pain.
Patient mentioned using cupping regularly as an alternative treatment for lower body pain.
Patient said they are interested in treating with daily iron supplements and may consider vitamin B12 injections.
Patient
Provider
Dynamic Visit
The Dynamic Visit feature uses AI and natural language processing (NLP) to analyze patient-provider conversations. It provides real-time, culturally responsive prompts and relevant resources to enhance care interactions.
It’s recommended to consume 12-18 milligrams per day of iron through the food you eat.
Increase Iron INTAKE
9:41 AM
EN
Patient
Community Insights
Community Insights are formed through anonymized patient data from similar data profiles to help match providers and contextualize non-medical interventions within cultural and community frameworks for more relevant care.
Patient
Cultural Data Wallet
The data wallet is created through a patient onboarding survey where users consent to sharing information. It encrypts and stores personal, cultural, social, and familial data in a decentralized manner.
Patient
Digital Onboarding
The digital onboarding experience helps set expectations for clinical encounters and reduces uncertainty in care. It allows patients to share concerns and preferences in advance, linking to their data wallet.
Patient
Provider
Dynamic Visit
The Dynamic Visit feature uses AI and natural language processing (NLP) to analyze patient-provider conversations. It provides real-time, culturally responsive prompts and relevant resources to enhance care interactions.
In traditional Chinese medicine, anemia is understood as a holistic blood disorder caused by a deficiency of chi.
You discussed anemia with the patient, which they might have understood differently.
CME course available
Traditional Asian Healing MethodsA local suction is created on the skin with the application of heated cups. People mostly use cupping to relieve conditions that cause pain.
Patient mentioned using cupping regularly as an alternative treatment for lower body pain.
Patient said they are interested in treating with daily iron supplements and may consider vitamin B12 injections.
Provider
Continual Capacity Building
Key patient insights and resources from the Dynamic Visit are resurfaced and integrated into provider EHR systems, strengthening provider capacity to deliver more informed aftercare instructions.
It’s recommended to consume 12-18 milligrams per day of iron through the food you eat.
Increase Iron INTAKE
9:41 AM
EN
Patient
Community Insights
Community Insights are formed through anonymized patient data from similar data profiles to help match with providers and contextualize non-medical interventions within cultural and community frameworks.
Testing Our Assumptions
Testing Our Assumptions
We shared early prototypes with a variety of patients and providers for their reactions and feedback. On the patient side, we engaged participants from various backgrounds including immigrants with experiences navigating multiple healthcare systems. On the provider side, we engaged nurses, physicians, and a clinical research psychologist experienced working with marginalized patient populations.
We shared early prototypes with a variety of patients and providers for their reactions and feedback. On the patient side, we engaged participants from various backgrounds including immigrants with experiences navigating multiple healthcare systems. On the provider side, we engaged nurses, physicians, and a clinical research psychologist experienced working with marginalized patient populations.
We shared early prototypes with a variety of patients and providers for their reactions and feedback. On the patient side, we engaged participants from various backgrounds including immigrants with experiences navigating multiple healthcare systems. On the provider side, we engaged nurses, physicians, and a clinical research psychologist experienced working with marginalized patient populations.
No avatars or characters for the AI
Initially, we thought AI avatars or characters would make the system feel more engaging and approachable. However, users found them inauthentic and distracting, preferring a seamless, text-based experience that prioritized clear and useful interactions.
Simplify technology used during visits
We first explored interactions with AR or VR technology to enhance engagement with medical information discussed during visits. However, users saw it as an unnecessary addition, expressing concerns about having to learn new technology and feeling less trust in the experience as a result.
Do not add to provider workload
Providers were excited about Traverse's potential but emphasized the need for seamless integration with existing digital systems. Additionally, they wanted to avoid an added workload and ensure that any technology would enhance care without disrupting visits or increasing duration.
No avatars or characters for the AI
Initially, we thought AI avatars or characters would make the system feel more engaging and approachable. However, users found them inauthentic and distracting, preferring a seamless, text-based experience that prioritized clear and useful interactions.
Simplify technology used during visits
We first explored interactions with AR or VR technology to enhance engagement with medical information discussed during visits. However, users saw it as an unnecessary addition, expressing concerns about having to learn new technology and feeling less trust in the experience as a result.
Do not add to provider workload
Providers were excited about Traverse's potential but emphasized the need for seamless integration with existing digital systems. Additionally, they wanted to avoid an added workload and ensure that any technology would enhance care without disrupting visits or increasing duration.
Before visit
Before visit
Before visit
Identify Wallet: Patient
Identify Wallet: Patient
Digital Care Onboarding: Patient
Digital Care Onboarding: Patient
Digital Care Onboarding: Patient
Digital Care Onboarding: Provider
Digital Care Onboarding: Provider
During visit
During visit
During visit
Dynamic Visit
Dynamic Visit
After visit
After visit
After visit
Physician EHR Integration
Physician EHR Integration
Patient After Care
Patient After Care
See Traverse in Action!
Connecting patients to best-fit providers
By leveraging the personal and cultural profiles stored in patient digital identity wallets, Traverse sorts and presents patients with local providers who align with different facets of their background, culture, and identity. Detailed provider profiles highlight and display reviews from anonymized patients with similar data profiles. These features deliver relevant community insights, helping patients select culturally-aligned healthcare providers.
Surfacing Data-Driven Onboarding for Patients
The digital onboarding experience details what to expect during clinical encounters, helping patients avoid uncomfortable surprises with providers. This stage aims to bring familiarity and alleviate anxiety for patients who may experience discomfort or mistrust in clinical and medical systems.