Healthtech

The data used to diagnose rare disease patients is highly complex and challenging to interpret. Several highly specialised professionals are involved in determining the results: lab technicians, bioinformaticians, and clinical geneticists. The results are delivered to the requisitioning clinician in the form of a clinical genetic report, often text-heavy and full of technical details, making it challenging to identify the most critical information.

Simplifying complex data for cross-functional teams

By breaking up the results report into smaller paragraphs and adding clear visuals that guide the reader through the information, we can ensure a more correct, quicker reading of the results and prevent misinterpretations.

Through user insight with laboratory specialists, clinical specialists, general practitioners (GPs), and patients, we identified a number of communication issues that can be helped through improved 

. One concrete suggestion was to redesign the report to help the reader of the information find the most crucial information.

Information Architecture

Visualization of the most crucial information

 In a benchmarking exercise that DNV GL performed with three participating clinical geneticists, healthcare professionals both missed crucial information in the hypothetical report and believed information to be present, which was, in fact, absent. This could have a potentially negative impact on patient well-being.

The traditional, text-heavy paper delivery mechanism is ripe for reinterpretation. The human brain processes images 60,000 times faster than text, with 90% of information being transmitted to the brain being visual. Given the clinician's everyday reality, a visual representation of results will improve the speed and quality of comprehension.

Effectively designed result reports save clinicians and healthcare staff time and resources. More importantly, they can improve patient safety by enhancing the information streams between the laboratory and the clinician. This, in turn, improves the quality of care - a more accurate understanding of the test results allows clinicians to implement the appropriate clinical management of their patients. Moreover, a more precise interpretation of the results also empowers the patients - it helps increase their understanding of their diagnosis and treatment implications.



Simplified communication in diagnosis of genetic disease