From 0 to 1 Building An Educational App to Support Patients’ Pain Management Journey
CLIENT
Behavioral Health Wellness Group (BHWG)
DURATION
Sep - Dec 2023
TEAM
Roey Wang (Product Designer): Competitive analysis, user interviews, persona, information architecture, style guide, key workflows, wireframes & prototype (Homepage, MyProfile, Pre-Surgical, Medication Reminder).
Nishi Chitale (Project Manager), Sayali Nikumbh (UX Researcher), and Xinru Wen (UI/UX Designer)
Meet Andrew - Our Primary User
Andrew, a 57-year-old banker in New York City, has lived with arthritis for over five years. He attends physical therapy regularly and manages chronic pain reasonably well — until his orthopedic doctor advises him to undergo a full knee replacement.
This will be his first major surgery, and although he understands it’s necessary, he is anxious about recovery.
Andrew’s Needs
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Realistic expectations about post-surgery pain levels
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Emotional reassurance during a stressful recovery period
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Safe and effective pain medication guidance
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Easy access to expert-approved information
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A simple way to track medication and avoid misuse
Andrew’s Frustrations & Fears
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“Will the pain after surgery be worse than what I live with now?”
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“I don’t really understand opioids… what if I get addicted?”
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“What if recovery takes too long and disrupts my job and routines?”
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Overwhelmed by thick paper handbooks, he won’t read
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No structured way to monitor dosage or receive reminders
Why HealSmart Matters to Andrew
The Pre-Surgery Reality
When Andrew attends his pre-op appointment, his doctor explains the expected pain trajectory and mentions opioid medications. But the conversation is fast, and Andrew retains only parts of it. He receives a bulky printed booklet on opioid safety — one he’s unlikely to read thoroughly.
He leaves with questions, anxieties, and no ongoing support.
HealSmart steps in to fill this gap.
HealSmart Ecosystem — Through Andrew’s Eyes
HealSmart becomes Andrew’s digital companion, offering the same education patients once received in in-person opioid prevention courses (now discontinued after COVID), but in a format that:
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feels modern enough to trust
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is simple enough for users 45+
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is always accessible on his phone
Andrew gains immediate clarity:
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What are opioids?
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How do they help with pain?
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How can he avoid addiction?
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How should he space his medication?
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What other non-drug methods can help him recover?
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The app puts reliable medical knowledge in reach, not in a handbook.
Research Reframed: What We Learned About Users Like Andrew
User Insights That Reflect Andrew
From interviews with doctors and patients similar to Andrew, we learned:
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Accessibility matters — large text, clear layout, calming colors
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Patients seek both expert guidance and real stories from others
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Recovery experiences differ; users want tools tailored to their needs
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Patients want to follow doctor instructions but need help remembering them
These insights shaped how HealSmart communicates, teaches, and supports users.
Design Strategy — Built Around Andrew’s Journey
What Andrew Needs From the App
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Clear expectations about pain levels - Simplicity
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Plain-language explanations of opioid use - Clarity
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Actionable guidance, not overwhelming text - Trustworthiness
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Tools to track medication, schedule reminders, and avoid misuse - Accessibility
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Comfort and reassurance through an intuitive, friendly UI - Empowerment
How Andrew Will Navigate HealSmart
Information Architecture
The IA is structured so Andrew can quickly find:
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Home — his recovery hub
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MOP Program — step-by-step opioid education
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PainEase Kit — non-drug pain management tools
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My Profile — medication tracking & reminders
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Every screen guides Andrew without overwhelming him.
Product Architecture
For Andrew, this means:
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A medication tracker that supports safe dosage habits
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A library of opioid education explained in clear, digestible units
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Emotional support tools that complement physical recovery
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Alternative strategies for pain relief
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Constant connection to expert-approved information
HealSmart becomes a holistic recovery partner, not just an information app.
Visual Design — Meeting Andrew Where He Is
Fonts
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Merriweather for titles → conveys trust, professionalism, authority
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Lato for content → clean, readable, friendly
Colors
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A calming, trustworthy green theme, reducing stress and signalling healing
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Consistent branding to help Andrew recognize reliability across the app
Interactive Prototype
Conclusion
