NOSS

Remote care system for caregivers and individuals with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities (IDDs)

Overview

This project supports Night Owl Support Systems (NOSS) in developing an internal system to care for their customers with IDD. NOSS offers remote support services aimed at helping individuals with disabilities achieve greater independence. The new design system facilitates video calls with clients and enables quick, customized message check-ins.

My Role

I was responsible for designing the UI of the new internal system, understanding the needs of NOSS staff, and creating a prototype for the NOSS-side user interface. I also collaborated with developers to refine the design and created a presentation to introduce the prototype

Background

NOSS aimed to develop its own remote care system with features like video calls and customizable check-in messages. Previously, they relied on external tools like Zoom, but as a healthcare provider, they needed a dedicated system to manage and document client interactions securely. I joined the project midway, working with an initial prototype provided by the developers

Stakeholders’ Requirements

To better understand their needs, I reviewed their website to observe how they interact with customers in videos and had meetings with them to learn their stories. Here are the key requirements for the design:

Take Notes During Calling
Staff needs a space to take notes during calls or edit them afterward.

Customized Message
Staff wants to send messages with 4 pre-set reply options to make it easier for clients to respond.

Message Library
Messages should be reusable, like sending a daily "How are you?" check-in.

Photo Feature
The app will be user-friendly for residents or family members, allowing them to tap on a family member's photo or the NOSS logo to contact.

Block Users
A feature to block clients is necessary for cases where calls are too frequent, though this is a rare occurrence.

Design Thinking

When designing the user interface, I focused on three key aspects. First, I explored common UI patterns for video calls in healthcare to ensure familiarity and usability. Second, I analyzed possible scenarios in staff workflows, such as sending messages and making video calls, to align the design with their needs. Lastly, I identified the essential personal information staff require during calls or when reporting to a client’s family, ensuring that critical details are easily accessible.

To improve usability and ensure a consistent user experience, I designed the interface with a familiar layout inspired by industry standards, such as Zoom. This included a top menu bar, a left contact list, and right-side notifications, allowing users to navigate the system with ease. Additionally, I replaced jargon with simpler, more intuitive terms to enhance clarity and accessibility.

User Interface Design

Home Page : What is the most important thing when they start the work?
In healthcare, patients are often cared for by specific nurses who may have ongoing relationships with their clients. To address this, I included a 'Top Callers' section on the homepage for ease of access. The 'Scheduled Messages for Today' feature allows staff to review and adjust upcoming messages as needed, helping them recall clients’ activities for the day.
Call History: Why do they need to take notes during callings?
I added a call notes feature to the call history page, making it easier for staff to review previous notes for the same client. This helps in tracking and following up on clients' situations, particularly when different staff members are involved.
Customized Message: What are convenient ways to send the message?
I refined the initial design by adding a feature for creating and managing messages. This includes scenarios such as pausing messages when a client is traveling and resending messages without using recurring schedules.
Contact Page: When do they go to the contact page?
The contact page includes only essential information, such as special notes and emergency contacts. Special notes highlight crucial information for medical staff, a common practice in healthcare, while emergency contacts ensure staff can quickly reach the client’s family if needed.

Prototypes

Customized Icon Design

I designed custom icons for specific functions. While these icons may be uncommon, I believe they are the right fit to help users recognize and operate the system more efficiently.

Customized Message
I designed the icon to resemble a cloud in various shapes, symbolizing the diverse messages staff send based on client needs.
Call History
The icon integrates elements of a video call and a note, representing both call records and associated notes.
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