Elevating DHCS Digital Services
Project Overview
Client: California Department of Health Care Services (DHCS)
Duration: January 2023 - December 2023
Role: UX Designer
Objective: Enhance functionality and accessibility of critical DHCS applications through UX overhaul and migration to cloud-based platforms
Tools: Transitioned from Adobe XD to Figma for enhanced collaboration
The Solution
Modernize user interfaces using Figma
Streamline navigation for quick and easy access
Implement a consistent design system across platforms
Ensure accessibility and compliance with healthcare laws
Optimize application performance
Engage with regulatory bodies for continuous compliance
UX Design Approach
Information Architecture: Restructure to enhance user interaction and system efficiency
Centralized Dashboard: Provide quick access to all necessary functions
Modular Design: Ensure scalability and flexibility for future adjustments
User-Centric Navigation: Organize information around user needs and workflows
Clear Hierarchies: Help users understand their location and access levels
Interactive Elements: Provide immediate feedback to enhance usability
Vision 2025
The Vision 2025 initiative was launched due to the outdated interfaces and cumbersome user experiences in many DHCS applications, including the MCWeb portal. These issues affected many users, including healthcare providers and patients who relied on these digital services daily. Some of the critical issues identified were:
Outdated User Interfaces: Many applications had not been updated in years, leading to inefficient workflows and a poor user experience.
Complex Navigation Systems: Users often need help finding necessary information quickly, which can lead to frustration and decreased productivity.
Inconsistency Across Applications: The design and functionality of different platforms were not uniform, confusing users and complicating training and support.
Poor Accessibility: Not all applications met modern accessibility standards, making it difficult for users with disabilities to utilize the services.
Slow Performance: Legacy systems did not perform well, especially under high demand, leading to delays and bottlenecks.
Compliance Challenges: Ensuring that all design changes comply with healthcare regulations was a continuous challenge.
The Vision 2025 initiative was a comprehensive UX overhaul and strategic migration to cloud-based platforms aimed at enhancing the functionality and accessibility of DHCS's critical applications. The project required navigating the complexities of modernizing user interfaces while ensuring compliance with healthcare regulations, which presented a unique blend of technical and creative challenges.
Initially, the scale and complexity of the project seemed daunting. However, I knew this was an opportunity to impact the lives of healthcare providers and patients significantly. The project required a careful, strategic approach to ensure alignment with our broader goals and regulatory compliance. Redesigning multiple applications, such as the outdated Medi-Cal Web (MCWeb) portal, with its clunky UI and inconsistent navigation, was a challenge that needed to be addressed.
To overcome the challenges faced by the healthcare organization, a comprehensive plan focused on modern cloud technology and user-centric design principles. The plan's main objective was to enhance the applications' functionality and aesthetic while meeting all regulatory standards. To achieve this, several vital solutions were implemented, including the modernization of user interfaces by leveraging collaborative features of Figma, streamlining of navigation systems to ensure quick and easy access to information, uniform application of a design system across all platforms to ensure consistency in user experience, vetting of all designs to ensure accessibility and compliance with healthcare laws, optimization of application performance, especially during peak usage times, and continuous engagement with regulatory bodies to ensure compliance.
DHCS's digital services have been restructured with a meticulous approach to organizing information architecture. This has enhanced user interaction and system efficiency, making it more intuitive and aligned with healthcare providers' and patients' everyday tasks and needs. Some of the critical elements that have been implemented include
UX Design Approach
Centralized Dashboard: A unified view that provides users quick access to all necessary functions.
Modular Design: A scalable and flexible design that can accommodate future adjustments and additions.
User-Centric Navigation: Organizing information and tasks around how users think and work in the healthcare environment.
Clear Hierarchies: An easy-to-understand hierarchy that helps users know where they are within the application and how to access various levels of information.
Interactive Elements: Utilizing interactive elements to provide immediate feedback to users, enhancing the overall usability of the applications.
Increased Efficiency: Users can now perform tasks more quickly and accurately, reducing the time needed to navigate the system.
Improved User Satisfaction: The new system's more intuitive and pleasing user interface has enhanced overall user satisfaction.
Enhanced Compliance: The new system fully complies with healthcare regulations, reducing the risk and increasing user trust.
Better Accessibility: The improved accessibility has made the applications usable by a broader range of individuals, ensuring equity in healthcare management.
Cost Reduction: With streamlined operations and improved system performance, the initiative has led to cost savings by reducing the need for extensive training and support. The design of the user interface (UI) was focused on creating a visually appealing and functional experience that catered to the needs of a diverse user base. We achieved this by utilizing a consistent color scheme and clear typographic hierarchies that promote ease of use and minimize user errors.
Key Benefits
The Vision 2025 initiative has been precious for DHCS by improving the digital interaction landscape for healthcare providers and patients. These improvements have streamlined operations and significantly increased user satisfaction and compliance with healthcare standards. Some of the key benefits of this initiative are:
I collaborated with experienced developers and stakeholders throughout the design process who provided guidance and support. Through our discussions, I gained valuable insights into the technical constraints, business requirements, and user needs. Their wisdom and expertise served as a guiding light, helping me navigate the challenges ahead.
