2016
Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center
Background
Oral anticancer medications (OAMs) offer convenience but come with strict, complex dosing rules—cycles of days on/off, food restrictions, and clinic visit adjustments. Patients relied on paper logs to track doses, leading to errors and frustration. MSK needed a solution to simplify adherence and support patients in real time.
Outcomes
An app that didn’t just streamline cancer care—it reshaped MSK’s vision for digital-first support. One young patient with rare lung cancer shared how isolating treatment felt, but this app made her feel less alone. That moment proved the real impact: technology that heals beyond medicine.
Role
As one of three designers, I co-led research, strategy, and product design. I was responsible for:
Conducting user research and testing across three interview rounds.
Developing and iterating on medication-tracking UI components.
Collaborating with hospital stakeholders, from clinical research to engineering.
We collaborated with a multidisciplinary team of researchers, clinicians, and developers to ensure the tool fit both patient needs and clinical workflows.
Process
Understanding the Context
To map out the complexities of chemotherapy trials, we conducted 21 expert interviews with pharmacists, nurses, oncologists, and administrators. This allowed us to identify pain points in the current medication management process.
Understanding the Users
We interviewed 25 patients and 12 caregivers across three research phases:
Round 1: Exploring Needs – Understanding how patients track medication today.
Round 2: Prototype Testing – Validating initial design concepts.
Round 3: Refinement – Iterating on key features based on feedback.
Design Evolution
Solving for Medication Planning
Patients needed a way to plan and log medications easily. Our goal was to create an interface that was both intuitive and flexible.
Early Concept: Interactive Time Arc
Allowed users to adjust meal and medication times by dragging doses around a sunup-to-sundown arc.
Problem: Users misinterpreted it as a clock, leading to confusion.
Next Iteration: Flattened Overview
A horizontal bar summarizing daily medication timing.
Problem: Still too complex—users struggled to connect it to their medication list
Final Solution: Calendar-Based Planning
A familiar calendar format with color-coded medications for easy tracking.
A step-by-step home screen to surface the most immediate action.
Final Design: Key Features
“Today” View - Actionable, step-by-step medication reminders.
Calendar - A day-by-day medication schedule.
Medications List - Comprehensive dosage and instruction details.
Pill Logs - Easy tracking of completed doses, required for trial compliance.
Protocol Info - Quick access to trial documentation and clinician contacts.
Results and Impact
The app influenced MSK’s strategic vision for digital-first cancer care. It sparked ongoing discussions on how technology can improve medication adherence and patient outcomes.
In testing, one young patient with a rare lung cancer shared how isolating it felt to manage treatment alone in rural Connecticut. She could barely speak above a whisper but told us this app would make her feel less alone. That moment reinforced why this work matters—giving patients not just tools, but a sense of support.