Orthotics & Prosthetics
Solving pain points, designing devices, helping patients reach their physical and emotional goals. I've has been doing experience design long before starting my UX career.​
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See how the practice of patient-centered care in O&P parallels the user-centered design process in UX.
Parallels of Practice
O&P Patient-Centered Care
User-Centered Experience Design
Patient centered care.
Interview and assess patients to discover their needs, pain points, and goals with device use.
Build empathy with the patient to better design a device for their specific use.
Design a device, working within physical and insurance limitations, that the user will interact with every day.
Use one or more test sockets to test the efficacy of the design and fit for that individual patient.
Iterative design process, adjusting the design even after final delivery.
User centered design.
Interview users to discover their needs, pain points, and goals with product use.
Build empathy with the user to better design a product for their specific use.
Design digital products, working within business and development limitations, for the user to interact with.
Use prototypes and other user testing to determine the efficacy of the experience for this user group.
Iterative design process, iterating the design through full roll out.
Fabrication of a Full Leg Orthosis
Investigation & Casting
Casting the patient's affected limb, and investigation into their pain points and physical goals.
Modifying & Pulling Plastic
After filling the mold, modifications are done in the plaster for weight bearing and comfort. Plastic is then thermoformed over the mold.
Contour Metal
Joints are placed at anatomical knee center for best mobility. The metal uprights must be contoured to fit the patient's unique anatomy.
Finishing
After contouring, the plastic is cut, smoothed, metal uprights are attached, and straps added.
Fitting & Iteration
The patient is fit with the device and any alterations are made to optimize comfort and function.
Delivery
Delivery and detailed instructions on care, comfort, and directed use to best reach physical goals.
