Biomakers Revolutionizing Clinical Data Organization for Pancreatic Cancer Patients

Biomakers, a pioneering project developed at Insaite, aimed to revolutionise the way clinical data is organised for pancreatic cancer patients. As the lead designer on the project, I played a pivotal role in shaping its user experience, interface, and technical translation.

Background

Insaite, an AI company dedicated to healthcare innovation, recognised the pressing need for a solution to help doctors efficiently organise clinical data for pancreatic cancer patients. Biomakers was conceived to address this challenge by providing a platform for doctors to manage patient data, request clinical exams and trials, and enable patient participation in clinical trials.

As the lead designer, my responsibilities encompassed guiding the UX, UI, and technical aspects of Biomakers. I contributed to key design decisions, ensuring that the product met the needs of both doctors and patients while adhering to technical requirements.

Key Features and Design Decisions

Part of the main topics for this projects was the use of AI to improve the patient experience, but also the surgeon experience. One of the main technical features was the possibility of using image data from the studies of each of our patients to preemptively diagnose cancer. The Data team was tasked

One of the critical design decisions was the integration of third-party data sources to provide additional context for users. By sourcing information from a public database with verified and referenced data, Biomakers ensured the accuracy and reliability of information presented to users. Additionally, the on-boarding flow was meticulously designed to be initiated by treating doctors, allowing patients to fill out their information through a series of customisation steps.

In summary, Biomakers focused in solving the following :

• AI-powererd Diagnostis: Biomakers boasts a powerful, bespoke, image analysis model that helped oncologists and researchers create an asses ment of a biopsy. The alpha version focused on pancreatic cancer.
• Patient management and followup: As a patient manager tool, biomakers allows surgeons keep track of tests ordered via the biomakers tool through their partners
• Cutting edge trials notifications: using information from PubMed and other sources, and with authorization from their treating doctor, Biomakers helps patients get in touch with trials they can participate in to receive experimental treatment for their ailment.

Design Process

The design process for Biomakers was iterative, with continuous refinement based on user feedback and evolving project requirements. A service design perspective was necessary to understand the integration of the various providers and touchpoints that any patient would need to access during their journey.

Challenges were encountered, particularly in designing the on-boarding flow to accommodate various patient cases while maintaining structured data for machine learning models. However, close collaboration between teams facilitated the integration of the on-boarding process into the broader service design.

To inform the design process, extensive user research was conducted by engaging with oncologists, clinics, and patients involved in clinical trials. Insights gleaned from these interactions were instrumental in shaping the product's features and functionality, ensuring it met the diverse needs of its users.

Collaboration and Innovation

Biomakers represented a significant milestone for Insaite as one of the first design-led products developed by the company. Collaborating closely with AI design and development teams, we utilised design tools such as system mapping, user journeys, and personas to inform our decision-making process and drive innovation.

Outcomes and Impact

While the project remained in stand-by after my departure from the company, the potential impact of Biomakers on improving clinical data organisation and patient pa rticipation in clinical trials is substantial. Although post-launch metrics are unavailable, the design-led approach adopted in Biomakers sets a precedent for future projects at Insaite.

Conclusion

The Biomakers project exemplifies the power of design-led innovation in addressing complex healthcare challenges. Through close collaboration, iterative design processes, and a commitment to user-centric design, Biomakers aimed to transform the landscape of clinical data organisation for pancreatic cancer patients and beyond.