Project Roshnee
Community level healthcare through digital health registry
Context
In August 2021, health ministry of Tamil Nadu, India launched ‘Makkalai Thedi Maruthuvam’(MTM scheme), a community-based intervention where patients, regardless of financial status, can receive health services on Non-communicable diseases (NCDs) at their doorstep by mobile-enabled Woman Health Volunteers (WHVs). WHVs are members of the community where they work to support healthcare initiatives, but they are trained for a shorter period compared to professional health workers.
Under the scheme, the state health system is in the process of migrating to a digital population health registry. The app is a repository of health care and other essential credentials of patients screened by WHVs and other healthcare workers at community level.
Example of a photo story documented from the diary journals of a staff nurse
Objective
To conduct an in-depth exploration of the societal, cultural, and technological experiences of Woman Health Volunteers (WHVs) and other healthcare providers during healthcare delivery, and to document the data collected from their fieldwork. The aim is to provide human-centered research insights and recommendations for enhancing the user experience and adaptability of the MTM scheme's app.
Timeline
January - May 2022
Approach
1. Ecosystem understanding through literature review
Our team conducted a literature review of the grassroots healthcare ecosystem to better understand the existing scenario and the current state of digitization in India. We also mapped the various motivators and barriers to enabling healthcare in different geographies of India.
2. Mapping the experiences and needs of WHVs and other healthcare providers through remote photo journaling, followed by online in-depth interactions ( diary study)
Each of the participating healthcare providers were asked to share a few photos from their daily lives, routines, and surroundings on a daily basis. We then conducted online in-depth conversations with them, using prompts based on our research objectives, to comprehend their varied journeys and experiences.
Mapping of work routine of WHVs and their supervisors and its impact on data collection
My role
As a design researcher, I conducted an assessment of the capabilities, needs, and motivations of various healthcare providers following the implementation of the app rollout. I refined the user personas of various healthcare providers involved in the community healthcare ecosystem and detailed their user journeys along with workflows while delivering healthcare. I also created data flow diagrams at each level to better understand the process. Additionally, I conducted a system assessment of the app and its impact on its effective adaptation. I mapped the regional differences present in physical surroundings, including urban, rural, and peri-urban environments, and identified opportunities and challenges related to training, deployment, and usage of the app.
Sample of a recommendation to improve the app acceptance that we synthesized from our research
Mapping of various stakeholders and their influence on health care delivery
