Options For Sexual Health

CONTRIBUTION

UI Designer , Researcher, Decision Maker, Leadership

CREDITS

Ethan Allwood, Christy Fang, Jalene Pang

Options for Sexual Health champions a feminist, pro-choice, and sex-positive approach, emphasizing choices and inclusivity. Their mission is to celebrate and champion the sexual health of all people in British Columbia by providing inclusive and accessible health care and education. The organization values engagement, inclusivity, honesty, openness, and community involvement in promoting sexual health and informed decision-making. This three-stage intervention serves as a crucial point of engagement for patients, offering a streamlined approach to navigate and access sexual health information amidst the widespread and scattered information.

I was responsible for conducting and leading user research, content strategy, visuals, and interaction.

In this instance, I took the initiative to be the spokesperson of the team. Based on insights gained during the client interview, it's evident that Options for Sexual Health excels in delivering current and research-backed information to the public. Nonetheless, a notable weakness lies in the organization's ample information resources being inadequately exposed.

In navigating the delicate terrain of sexual health, we crafted an anonymous survey to delve into the preferences and needs of our user demographic. Our research uncovered significant insights: 74% of respondents favor the internet as their primary source for accessing sexual health information, with 58% expressing a preference for live chat when communicating with staff. Moreover, the survey revealed a unanimous desire among participants for a safe, inclusive environment that caters to diverse communities and needs.

The survey questions are grounded in academic research and demographic insights gathered from online sources, ensuring a well-informed approach to understanding our target audience.

The survey highlighted the website's significant role as a trusted information source for users. Furthermore, our analysis indicated that the navigation structure is overly complex, containing numerous duplicate links and pages, which could potentially hinder user experience.

01/ To address this issue, we divided our approach into three primary phases. Initially, we each brainstormed independently, consolidating similar ideas thereafter. This phase emphasized generating a wide array of potential solutions.

02/ We selected the most promising ideas from the group and conducted a rapid analysis of their value and effort to gauge the feasibility and potential impact of the solutions.

03/ This brings us to our ultimate proposal: a three-stage solution comprising a navigation overhaul, a suggestion-driven search feature, and a live chat function, prioritized according to implementation simplicity.

The horizontal menu bar is restructured by organizing the three levels of navigation and eliminating overlapping links . Additionally, the fixed menu bar at the top ensures that visitors can effortlessly access all pages, providing an enhanced experience that is more reliable and consistent.

Insights gained from our client meetings revealed that while individuals may have a general idea of what they're seeking, they often lack precise search terms.

To address this, the suggestion-based Search feature offers auto-complete suggestions and presents a list of frequently asked questions on various topics, aiding users in finding the information they require.

Originally conceived as a live chat feature, our project evolved following insightful feedback from our second client meeting. Recognizing the limitations of this approach, we adapted its functionality to become a question-and-response-based information tool. This tool redirects users to relevant pages on the website while also offering pre-screening capabilities to enhance the efficiency of booking and contact forms.

By providing users with an alternative means of accessing information, our aim is to empower more individuals to address their inquiries directly on the website, potentially alleviating the high demand experienced by the clinic.

(Organization) Options For Sexual Health

Redirecting inquiries to the website streamlines operations, reduces workload, and enhances efficiency. A well-functioning website attracts more visitors, expanding outreach, while allowing for better resource allocation to improve overall service quality.

(Consumer) Patients

The website provides patients with quick and efficient access to a wealth of sexual health information, reducing the need for lengthy phone calls or clinic visits and leading to shorter wait times for assistance. This improved access empowers patients to make more informed decisions about their health.

Through my participation in the 5-day design challenge and the UX hackathon, I significantly enhanced my leadership, strategic thinking, and time management skills. These experiences, set against the backdrop of fast-paced environments and stringent deadlines, not only honed my ability to efficiently allocate everyone's time but also highlighted the importance of prioritizing tasks. Furthermore, they taught me the value of fostering a collaborative team dynamic, proving that a united team effort is crucial for achieving optimal results under pressure. This combination of leadership, strategy, and efficient time management has prepared me to navigate and thrive in challenging situations, making the most of every opportunity to lead and innovate.