Reacch-Sickle Cell Advocacy App CS

Reacch-Sickle Cell Advocacy App

iOS, Apple Watch & Android

A tool created to protect underserved members of the sickle cell comunity from moments of crisis and medical malpractice.

Overview | Why it works | Design Process | Research | Background

Anchor 1

Reacch: Protector of Sickle Cell Warriors

This cross functional platform, allows users to reach out to advocates who can support them when headed to the ER and track their experiences. Built with accessibiltity, research and empathy, the Reacch app aims to be an ally and means of support to everyone who has Sickle Cell. Reacch aims to protect users from medical malpractice. Users are supported via apple watch, mobile devices and web.

Prototype:

Anchor 2

Empathy and Accessibility

During times of a Sickle Cell crisis,

a user could be in intense pain or disoriented, thus creating difficulties processing complex material.

This app is designed to give users a quick and digestable tool to expidite their access to care. This application strives for simplicity, this was achived by focusing on the following key points:

Contrast
Intuitive
Accessibiltiy

Accessible, clear, and intuitive means less strain on people with Sickle Cell

How Reacch Serves it's Audience

Stress and strain on both body plus mind are major pain points for users with Sickle Cell. We avoid overwhelming users with too many features. Limiting options could save lives during a crisis. The user also has a choice to upgrade care if they choose to add any additonal support.

Reacch's design prioritizes it's quick access to advocates through the dashboard.

This page brings the CTA front and center for ease of use, while maintains

high contrast without overstimulating users. This ensures a comfortable

user experience during uncomfortable circumstances.

Designed primarily for single hand use for easier accessibility in any potential state the user could find themselves in.

The more important the function the closer the tip of the thumb it is.

This app takes design elements from other health support apps which I discuss in detail in the design process. Reacch's design also comes from emergency services where the signs and lableing are easy to understand and provide clear directions.

Anchor 3

Full Service UX Opportunity

This project required all of my UX skills in order to bring this project to life. During this design sprintI was responsible for the following:

Business

Stakeholder Communication
Project managment
Requierment gathering

Product Design

Ideation and Sketching
Mock ups
Prototyping
Design Systems
Component Libraries

User Research & Testing

Audience Research
Competitive Research
Accessibility Screening

Tools I Used to Complete this Sprint

Figma

Used for:

Design Journal
Mockups
Pitch Decks
Prototypes
Design Library

Wix

Used for:

Style Guide
Mockups
Pitch Decks
Prototypes
Design Library
Component Kit

From Concept to Product

My design focused on accessibiltiy along with transferability to have pairity with other devices such as the apple watch and web browsers.

Problem Statement and Scope

Problem Statement
How do we create an interface that connects users to live support, local resources, and other useful utilities that serve Sickle Cell patient needs in a streamlined intuitive way. This app needs to ensure fast access to emergency care.

Scope

Connects users to live support and local resources.

Timeline

August 4: Complete planning and research phase.
August 18: Finalize wireframes.
September 8: Finalize high-fidelity designs and prototypes.
September 13: Complete design handoff.
September 30: Project wrap-up and final review.

Anchor 4

Sickle Cell Patient's first hand accounts
What does a crisis and hospital care feel like to a sickle cell patient?

Youtube Firsthand Accounts & Stakeholder Experience Takeaways

- Lack of mobility
- Pain
- Access to resources  

- Reviews for quality of care

- Access to social life and keep in touch with friends
- Need for advocacy
- Bullying
- A need for empathy

- Help with communicating needs

How design thinking helped improve the patient experience in the emergency room?

Tone and Mood

Sense of urgency
Use this in case of Emergency
Prompt and to the point
A feeling that help is on the way
Reliable

Anchor 5

Motivation behind "Reacch"

The Reacch application was a project that was both educational and fulfilling. In 2018 I lost a very close friend who had Sickle Cell Anemia, at that time I had no idea that hospital visits were such a stressful and in some cases dehumanizing experience. Through user research and experiences my stakeholder provided I was shocked to realize the grim reality Sickle Cell patients face during care.

The Reach Advocacy app was founded by Merissa Cors, a 5th generational Sickle Cell Patient and Patient Advocate based in Los Angeles, California. This app is made for anyone who either has Sickle Cell to get support quickly or anyone who wouuld like provide support to patients with the disease.

This app was inspired by Brittany Hightower a "Sickle Cell Warrior" who created a Tik Tok page documenting her abuse and experiences in the hospital. On January 1st 2023, Brittany passed away while admitted to hospital, Merissa along with her non-profit Axis Advocacy was her main support system until her passing.

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