Dr. Pod | Emma Shaw Design

The check-in pod is an innovative way to provide a private, comfortable check-in experience to new patients aged 18-22, specifically ones transitioning from the pediatrician to the physician. The goal of the Dr. Pod check in experience is to comfort the patient while helping them better understand their personal healthcare.

Project Guidelines

This project was sponsored by:

Group Members:

Caroline Hammond and Taylor Hicks

Objectives: To answer the question: How can we use technology to enhance the patient check-in experience at the doctor?

Duration: Started 08/23/22, completed on 12/14/22

Skills: Conducting interviews, journey mapping, persona creation, user testing, prototyping, story telling, Figma, Autodesk Fusion 360, Keyshot

Target Audience:
18-22 year olds

Why we chose to focus on this user group:

1. Pediatrician to Physician Transition: Transition from a family centered to patient centered practice approach presented problem areas

2. Most Common Type of Appointment: More available data  was able to researched

3. Most Relatable Demographic: We're able to provide more empathy for users, and there was more available user research at Georgia Tech

Interview with Medical Professionals

Our group interviewed three pediatric healthcare professionals, all serving different roles in the check-in process. The main takeaways were as follows:

Distractions such as entertainment or medical forms seem to make the waiting process go by faster for patients.
Being able to see where the patient is in the check-in process saves the doctor a lot of time.
When patients are late to their visit, it creates a domino effect, messing up the doctor’s whole day.
Online EMR and MyChart software helps with behind the scenes documentation and patient communication.
Older pediatric patients often don’t fully understand their insurance policy.

Overall, the behind the scenes check-in process seems to be streamlined.

This is not so true for the patient.

Interview with Pediatric Patients

Our group interviewed four patients that had recently been to the pediatrician or physician. The main takeaways from these four include:

Many patients agree that it would be easier if the check in was online (filling out forms, etc).
Patients prefer in person visits rather than tele-health visits because they are able to create an emotional connection with the doctor and have more trust.
Most patients get a reminder text or email about their appointment. This shows that pediatric offices value staying on schedule and being organized.
Many pediatricians still use traditional check in methods; using a clipboard and sheets of paper. Patients expressed that this can take a long time.
Many adult doctors use MyChart, which is an easy way for the patient to access their healthcare information and history as well as prescriptions.

Patient's Underlying Needs

Quick Treatment

Less paperwork
Shorter wait times

Independence

Ability to schedule and attend appointment alone
Understanding their own health (health literacy)

Comfort

Feeling prepared for an appointment with proper documentation
Acceptance by medical staff and others in the waiting room

Guidance

Help throughout the check-in process
Transitioning from the pediatrician to physician

Health Literacy

Knowledge about personal and family health history
Understanding health insurance plans

Stability

Economic security
Safety and health

Key Takeaways from Research

An online process is preferred by patients and doctors

Most students aged 18-22 still visit their pediatrician, despite being an adult, due to convenience and comfortability.

There is a unique reliance on parents or guardians, which creates separate opportunities for different types of patients who do not visit the doctor with a parent.