Qmmunity
Qmmunity is a mobile app dedicated to improving healthcare access for the LGBTQ+ community by connecting users with affirming healthcare providers. Research has shown that many LGBTQ+ individuals face discrimination and barriers in healthcare, from refusal of care to negative experiences with providers. Qmmunity directly addresses these challenges by creating a transparent and supportive network where LGBTQ+ individuals can find providers who respect their unique needs.
01
Objective
To design an inclusive, community-driven platform that enables LGBTQ+ individuals to find trustworthy, understanding healthcare providers who actively support their specific needs.
02
Strategy
To develop Qmmunity, I used a comprehensive approach that combined user research, collaborative design, and iterative testing. I started with anonymous surveys and interviews via Google Forms to understand the unique healthcare barriers LGBTQ+ individuals face.
Using this data, I created personas to visualize user needs, and mapped user flows in Miro to ensure an intuitive experience. For wireframing and prototyping, I used Figma to test and refine the app’s layout and interactions. Finally, usability testing over zoom allowed for iterative improvements based on real user feedback, ensuring Qmmunity was practical, inclusive, and easy to navigate.
03
Research and Insights
User Research and Discovery
We started by conducting an anonymous survey to gather firsthand experiences from LGBTQ+ individuals regarding healthcare. This survey revealed stark data: 56% of LGB and 70% of transgender respondents had faced some form of discrimination from healthcare providers. This feedback was crucial for defining the app’s objectives and key features.
Key Pain Points:
• Difficulty identifying LGBTQ+ friendly or allied providers on existing doctor-review sites.
• Limited resources to help LGBTQ+ individuals understand their healthcare rights and coverage options.
• Privacy concerns, especially around sharing health issues and experiences openly.
Personas and User Needs:
We identified a spectrum of needs, from users seeking affordable and accessible care to those prioritizing strong allyship in providers. Using personas, we mapped out these requirements and defined core features to address the common theme: finding affirming trustworthy healthcare.
Using the survey feedback and identified features, we developed wireframes and an interactive prototype. We prioritized user flow, ensuring that the essential features were prominent and easy to navigate. In testing, we continuously refined the layout based on user feedback, focusing on accessibility and minimizing barriers to the information most valued by our users.
The feature set developed for Qmmunity reflected these needs, integrating key functionalities like:
• Provider Ratings and Reviews – Users could review providers on aspects like friendliness, professionalism, and LGBTQ+ allyship.
• Privacy Controls – Profile and review options included customizable privacy settings to protect users’ identities.
• Comprehensive Resources – Resources covering topics such as mental health, contraception, insurance (Medicare/Medicaid), and LGBTQ+ health rights.
• Community Forums – Verified healthcare providers could join discussions, answer questions, and engage in real-time with users.
04
Result and Impact
The final Qmmunity app won recognition in both the CSULB Innovation Challenge and the Stanford Treehacks 2021 Civic Engagement Prize, validating its impact and the need for such a solution in the LGBTQ+ community.
Throughout this process, I learned the importance of community involvement in designing solutions for marginalized groups. The project highlighted the complexities of healthcare access for the LGBTQ+ community and the need for innovative, user-centered solutions. It also underscored the value of iterative design and the potential for technology to address social issues.
Moving forward, if this project were to be realized, it would be crucial to conduct comprehensive testing to assess its feasibility and efficacy before implementation. This experience has reinforced the importance of thorough research, user-centered design, and community collaboration in creating impactful solutions.