NarConnect
Developing an evidence-based interactive mobile application and system design to reduce the number of deaths caused by opioid overdose.
UX Research, UX and UI Design
Overview
Timeline: January 2022 - March 2023
Area of Focus: Health and Well-being, Medical Technology
Problem: Increase in number of deaths caused by opioid overdose
Solution: An evidence-based mobile application prototype bringing resources and communities together to prevent overdose deaths.
Role: UI/UX Researcher and Designer
Skills Developed
Professional: User Research, Market Research, Competitive Analysis, Persona Development, UX and UI Research, Wireframes, High and Low Fidelity Prototyping, 1:1 Interviews, Focus Groups, User Flows, Heuristic Evaluation, Co-design Principles, Iterative Usability Testing
Technical: Adobe Photoshop, Adobe Illustrator, Figma, Miro, Otter.ai
Soft Skills: Empathy, Communication, Leadership, Collaboration, Analytical Thinking, Problem Solving, Innovative Thinking
Research and Discovery
Problem
The opioid epidemic has been recognized as a public health issue in the United States. Post drug consumption, a person can overdose in a short time span.
The stigma towards Opioid Use Disorder (OUD) and rigid law enforcement policies makes it challenging for the community to share their needs and reach out for care and support.
Harm reduction organizations, syringe service programs and safe use sites have been developed, while products such as mobile applications and devices are being proposed for various community needs. Despite the research and effort going into digital and technological innovation for OD prevention, there is a gap in access to care, support, and resources to ensure safety at any given location and time.
An apt solution with challenging mechanisms…
Naloxone is an opioid antagonist. It is available in 3 forms, nasal sprays, injectable solution and pre-filled syringes. NARCAN® (a Naloxone nasal spray) is the most commonly used opioid antagonist. However, it cannot be self-administered.
Considering a scenario where one is consuming drugs alone, self-administration of naloxone through these forms can be nearly impossible due to the physiological effects of an OD.
The lack of ability to self-administer not only puts them at greater risk of an OD, but also puts them in a situation where they might not be able to alert someone they trust for help.
UX Research
Key Insights
Identifying an opioid overdose can be challenging, especially if the person's history of drug use is unknown. Overdose symptoms may vary, and they can sometimes be mistaken for other medical conditions.
Despite efforts to increase naloxone distribution, accessibility can still be an issue in some areas, particularly in regions with limited healthcare resources or areas where harm reduction initiatives face obstacles.
After an overdose reversal, it is crucial for the individual to receive medical attention to address any lingering effects of the overdose and to connect them with support services for ongoing care and addiction treatment.
Public perception plays a significant role in shaping the implementation and sustainability of harm reduction strategies. Harm reduction programs may face discrimination from some individuals, organizations, or policymakers who believe in a punitive approach to drug use rather than a public health-oriented approach. Without adequate public support and understanding, it can be challenging to garner political backing and funding for harm reduction programs.
“Because of our history of criminalizing addiction instead of treating it as a mental, medical health condition, of not having a continuum of care model in place for people with addiction, of being slow in recognizing fentanyl's dangers and because of continued stigma towards addiction, the environment was primed for the natural progression to more potent and powerful synthetic drugs.”
Market Research + Gap Analysis
Key Insights
Many drug users who are at risk of an overdose have access to help and support but are unaware of it. As a result, these individuals may continue to engage in risky behaviors without seeking or receiving the help they need to prevent overdose or address their substance use disorder effectively.
There is a lack of resources that meet time-bound needs. The demand for assistance may exceed the available resources and support, leading to delays in accessing treatment, harm reduction services, or Naloxone distribution.
Many users might refrain from using modern resources such as digital applications and devices due to safety and privacy concerns. These concerns stem from distrust of authorities, fear of legal repercussions and lack of services developed and backed by the community.
Fear of judgment, discrimination, and social isolation often lead to a reluctance to seek help or disclose their drug use to others. Family members and loved ones of individuals struggling with addiction often experience feelings of helplessness and fear when it comes to addressing the risk of overdose.
1:1 Interviews and Focus Groups
The purpose of the 1:1 interviews and focus group was to understand the community and stakeholders’ perspectives on innovation in harm reduction. This gave the researcher/designer the opportunity to further define what gaps can be bridged by NarConnect.
The researcher/designer intended to talk the research participants about their safety and privacy concerns, their comfort levels with technological devices and applications and unmet desires from harm reduction solutions. The research pool included Harm Reductionists (HRs), People Who Use Drugs (PWUDs), and friends/family members of PWUDs. The data was transcribed and analyzed using Otter.ai and Figma.
Research was conducted in collaboration with a social services organization in Cincinnati, Ohio. They conduct Syringe Service Programs (SSP) along with the Hamilton County Public Health Department (Ohio). Through the SSP sessions, the organization supports various needs of the community and their families.
Quotes from the Community
There's a lot of people that can't look past the stigma of being a junkie.”
It makes me feel a whole lot better to know that there are people who care and focus on the actual person (instead of their addiction).”
Data Analysis Snippet
Key Insights
PWUDs experience stigma on a daily basis. There’s a need for empathy and drug addiction education and awareness in the society.
Harm Reductionists communicated the importance of building a relationship with the community to build trust.
PWUDs were more willing to trust resources that are co-designed and tested by their community members.
Family members and friends want to support PWUDs and provide them the care and support needed to overcome the challenges of addiction and stigma.
All research participants had a mobile device and were comfortable with using digital applications.
PWUDs want to exercise their right to freedom and privacy when looking out for life-saving resources and care.
Design Process
Preliminary Interaction Flows and Wireframes
Design Rationale
Intuitive Navigation: The application must have a simple and intuitive navigation system with clear information hierarchy, concise menus, buttons, and icons to guide users throughout the application seamlessly.
Contrast and Readable Typography: A well-chosen color scheme and the use of clear, legible fonts with appropriate sizes and spacing ensures that users can easily read and understand the content displayed on the app.
Personalization: Personalization features based on user preferences and past interactions is key to help users have control over their experience with the application.
Secure Data Handling: Address user concerns about data privacy and security by implementing strong encryption measures and complying with relevant data protection regulations.
User Feedback and Support: Include mechanisms for users to provide feedback, report issues, or seek help.
Testing and Iteration: Continuously gather user feedback and conduct usability testing to identify areas for improvement. Regularly update the app based on user insights.
Iterative Usability Testing
Heuristic Evaluation
The prototype was first evaluated by subject matter experts (SMEs) from the field of design, healthcare and pharmacy. This process further refined the flow of the prototype and the features to enhance the experience of end users.
Usability Testing
The purpose of this phase was to further implement co-design practices and principles of human-centered design in the prototype development process. The usability testing sessions were iterative, giving new participants the opportunity to interact with the updated version of the prototype. This helped the researcher/designer gather new insights through every participant and session. Usability testing sessions were conducted with PWUDs, harm reductionists as well as friends and family members of PWUDs.
Heuristic Evaluation Feedback
Results
The usability testing sessions not only allowed the researcher/designer to view the prototype from the lens of the end user, but also allowed the opioid addiction community to design an intervention that meets their needs in the form they prefer. The result of this project is a robust harm reduction mobile application prototype for NarConnect. The prototype will be further developed and made available to end users.
Final Prototype
The details of the projects are currently undisclosed, but further insights into the process can be elaborated upon during interviews.
Challenges and Lessons Learned
Due to the challenges and stigma faced by the community, building a relationship with the community was a slow process. The researcher/designer ensured to be present for community initiatives and interact with visitors.
The complex nature of the problems faced by the community made it challenging for the researcher/designer to conclude whether the insights gathered from the research were appropriate and accurate. To avoid any biases, the researcher/designer verified research steps and findings with the community as well as industry professionals.
Achievements
DAAPcares Innovation Award 2023: Human-Centered Interface and System Design for Saving Lives
DAAPcares Innovation Award 2022: Harm Reduction in Opioid Overdose through Immediate Safe Use Sites