Reimagining an Informational Care Model for Genetic Testing
KEY DETAILS
September 2024 - January 2025
Product Design & Research, Service Design
OVERVIEW
As part of PRECISE’s Clinical Implementation Pilot, Speedback partnered with the National Cancer Centre Singapore (NCCS) to reimagine the outreach model. Along with my product manager and the NCCS team, I facilitated and oversaw end-to-end research design, prototyping and collaboration over a 6-month period.
IMPACT
Our work with NCCS yielded in the following key outcomes:
Development of proof-of-concept for delivery for Speedback
10 Domain Expert Interviews with Specialists, Counsellors & Coordinators
4 Focus Group Discussions with HBOC, FH and PGD participants
Average UM/UX Lite Rating of 87.45 / 100 across Usability Sessions
TIMELINE
From Sept 2024 to Jan 2025, we conducted in-depth interviews, focus group discussions and prototyping with the following goals in mind:
Visualize a model to increase uptake of cascade screening and predictive testing, among individuals suspected of genetic diseases.
Proof-of-concept on areas where Speedback could support or facilitate cascade testing.
FOCUS GROUPS & DOMAIN EXPERT INTERVIEWS
We learnt that testing carries a complex set of concerns, stigma and costing barriers. The existing system relies heavily upon probands (gene positive individuals) to inform and educate immediate family members on risks.
For NCCS, the activation of immediate family members suffers from low uptake, with ill-defined pathways for both probands and family to seek consultation within NCCS.
PROBLEM FOCUS
Given the complex problem space and time limitations, we narrowed focus to the discovery of key informational and operational flows per stakeholder group for testing.
USABILITY WORKSHOP & SESSIONS
This involved testing a variety of flows with Probands, Relatives and Genetic Counsellors. Aside from semi-structured interviews to understand their experience, we conducted interactive prototype testing to understand common informational and interaction patterns.
FINDINGS
Following domain expert interviews, focus groups and usability sessions, we synthesized insights with the following highlight points:
85% of interviewed Probands & Relatives ranked post-testing, personalised tracking through Whatsapp as most preferred.
Bite-sized, NCCS-verified education on costing, insurance and clinical follow-ups were preferred topics for sharing and navigation.
75% of Genetic Counsellors interviewed favored use of pre-filled pedigree trees for context bridging and proband-relative linkage.
Beyond interface, systemic changes (eg: eliminating need for visiting polyclinic prior to CGS appointment) are also required to increase cascade testing uptake.
