Keeping communities safe, one app at a time.

With COVID-19 vaccines approved in Canada as early as December 2020, the scramble for vaccination spots has intensified. As eligibility expands, there is a noticeably competitive race for open slots. The process is stressful, leaving many frustrated. In response, I developed a conceptual healthcare app tailored for Ontario residents. This app aims to simplify the task of finding and securing a vaccine appointment, removing the unnecessary hassle and competition. The following case study explores the design thinking and practical considerations that went into creating this solution, addressing the challenges posed by the high demand for COVID-19 vaccinations.

Research

To get a better perspective of how people approach the vaccination process, a questionnaire was sent out, highlighting common questions, such as:

What methods have you used to book an appointment?
On a scale of 1-5, how easily were you able to navigate the process?
What sources were used to find available vaccines?
What could our provincial government do better with respect to vaccine distribution?

The main user frustrations, as well as the most common resources used to book appointments were compiled.

Ideation

During the ideation phase, I harnessed valuable insights gathered from the comprehensive questionnaire results to shape the initial iteration of the app. The primary emphasis was on streamlining the COVID-19 vaccination booking process, with a strategic focus on user location to filter and display available slots. Understanding the multifaceted needs of users during these times, secondary features closely tied to the vaccination experience were integrated. This included real-time COVID-19 news updates, allowing users to stay informed, and COVID-19 testing appointments. By weaving these elements together, the app prioritizes seamless scheduling while also catering to the users' broader concerns related to the ongoing pandemic.

User Flow

onboarding

Home

registration

appointment booking

other states

Usability Testing

The app prototype was presented to potential users for usability testing, analyzing its ease of use. Some of the feedback provided was as follows:

Next Steps

After analyzing the insights gathered from testing, several actionable steps surfaced. First was recognizing the importance of early and frequent testing to identify and address minor issues, such as refining the information hierarchy. Looking ahead, I'm considering the implementation of a survey or card sort to fine-tune the structure of the home screen. There is value in exploring collaboration with skilled writers to simplify the language, addressing concerns that the current wording may be too complex for the average user. Another refinement involves optimizing the user flow, particularly in response to feedback on reusability. How can users swiftly rebook without navigating the same process repeatedly? Initial ideas include incorporating a rebooking call-to-action or allowing users to select the number of vaccinations needed from the get-go.

Considering the ongoing evolution of COVID-19 and the necessity for booster shots, the app's long-term utility is evident. Looking ahead, my plan is to develop a second iteration based on usability testing feedback and to explore additional features that could further enhance the app's value.

Streamlining Vaccine Distribution