Usability Testing with a Focus on IBD Care
Evaluating clinical workflow friction and information retrieval speeds to validate a redesigned information architecture for Gastroenterologists and Nurse Practitioners treating Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD).
Validating Clinical Workflow Alignment
Healthcare professionals needed efficient, rapid access to IBD treatment information, but the existing navigation structure was built for patients, not clinicians. I led usability testing with 16 GI doctors and NPs/PAs to validate whether the new information architecture aligned with their actual clinical workflows and time constraints.
Sessions were designed to be ultra-efficient, respecting the severe time constraints of busy medical professionals while gathering deep insights into their information-seeking behaviors.
Core Hypothesis
"By restructuring the navigation to prioritize clinical data, dosing guidelines, and efficacy studies, we will reduce information retrieval time and align the digital experience with the real-world workflows of GI specialists."
Primary Research Questions
- Can clinicians locate specific IBD dosing guidelines within 30 seconds?
- Does the new taxonomy match the mental models of GI specialists?
- Where do current navigation patterns cause workflow interruptions?
- How does device usage impact task success in clinical settings?
Targeted Methodology & Demographics
Recruitment Criteria
16 participants recruited via medical professional panels: Board-certified Gastroenterologists and IBD-specialized Nurse Practitioners/Physician Assistants with at least 3 years of clinical experience.
Testing Protocols
30-minute highly focused, moderated think-aloud sessions. Tasks simulated real clinical scenarios: finding specific efficacy data, accessing patient support program details, and locating dosing charts.
Professional Considerations
Designed an ultra-efficient protocol respecting severe clinical time constraints. Sessions were strictly timed, with compensation structured to acknowledge the high value of their professional expertise.
Critical Insights from Clinical Testing
Easy Navigation
Healthcare providers could navigate the site with ease, demonstrating the effectiveness of the redesigned structure for accessing efficacy information, dosing guidelines, and safety information.
Request a Rep Button Issues
Some participants encountered difficulties locating the 'Request a Rep' button within the interface, requiring redesign for better visibility and placement.
Anchor Link Confusion
Notable confusion around anchor link functionality - some saw them as tabs or separate page links rather than page navigation within a single long page.
Content Preferences
Healthcare providers showed minimal interest in videos or media content, citing lack of time in clinical settings. They preferred dense, scannable text-based information.
Clinical Scenario-Based Activities
Primary Tasks
- Navigate to efficacy information
- Access dosing guidelines
- Review safety information
- Explore patient support programs
Methodology
Participants were encouraged to think aloud throughout the process, providing real-time insights into their decision-making processes and information-seeking behaviors in clinical contexts.
Actionable Improvements
Recommendation 1: Clinical-First Taxonomy
Restructure top-level navigation to separate "Patient Resources" from "Clinical Resources," ensuring dosing, efficacy, and safety data are grouped logically for healthcare professionals.
Recommendation 2: Enhanced Call-to-Action Visibility
Redesign and reposition the 'Request a Rep' button to improve discoverability and align with clinical workflow expectations.
Recommendation 3: Clarify Navigation Patterns
Improve anchor link labeling and visual design to clearly communicate their function as in-page navigation rather than separate page links or tabs.
Recommendation 4: Text-First Content Strategy
Prioritize dense, scannable text content over videos and multimedia, respecting the time constraints of busy clinical environments.
Post-Research Performance Boost
Successfully recruited and tested with busy GI doctors and NPs within a tight 2-month window
Validated effectiveness of redesigned clinical information architecture
Information architecture officially approved by client medical advisory board