Patterson FUSE

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A subject matter expert (SME) at Patterson initially proposed the concept of a timeline. Following discussions, I applied design thinking principles to further develop the idea. Concurrently, I conducted preliminary research.

Our research indicated that timelines had evolved into a universally comprehensible means of conveying information. To validate our hypothesis, we conducted interviews and surveys with dentists and hygienists. 

The results  confirmed the value of our concept.

Customers expressed significant enthusiasm for the concept of a patient dental health timeline. We conducted interviews and surveys with customers and had access to several subject matter experts (SMEs) with extensive experience in the dental industry.

Key Insights:

1. Dentist-Friendly Design: Dentists emphasized the importance of a user-friendly timeline, complete with a connected tooth chart.
2. Work Tracking Capability: It was deemed valuable if the chart could double as a time tracker for procedures performed on a patient.
3. Integration with Existing Systems: The timeline was expected to seamlessly integrate with various imaging and health information systems that were currently dispersed.
4. Timely Notifications: Dental professionals needed the timeline to provide clear notifications regarding ongoing work and potential issues with a patient's teeth.
5. Custom Iconography: Customizable icons were seen as crucial, allowing dentists to easily recognize and associate them with specific events.

These key insights informed the development of the timeline feature, ensuring it met the precise needs and expectations of dental practitioners.

Collaborating closely with product management, user data, and subject matter experts (SMEs), I diligently gathered all the necessary requirements. 

In parallel, I conducted a thorough examination of timelines within popular applications of the time, including Facebook, Instagram, and LinkedIn, to ensure alignment with established user mental models.

Teaming up with icon designers, I  reviewed their artwork to ensure it met user-centric criteria before proceeding to deliver the wireframes.

Leveraging the comprehensive design system I had previously developed for the product, I  incorporated its elements to guide and inform these designs. This ensured a consistent and cohesive user experience throughout the project.

I conducted interviews with dental professionals and subject matter experts (SMEs). Some interviews were conducted in a dental setting, utilizing on-screen mockups to gain insights into their complete workflow. Others were ad-hoc discussions with a diverse group of subject matter experts.

Throughout this process, I iteratively refined the wireframes based on the feedback received. Subsequently, I proceeded to create prototypes, enabling further research and validation of the solution's suitability for our target audience. This iterative approach ensured that we continually improved and fine-tuned the product to meet the needs of our users.

The timeline feature in Fuse formed an integral part of the complete dental practice management system. I was responsible for overseeing all aspects of usability design, visual design, and information architecture. The feature was successfully launched in April 2018.

Dental Product Shopper has rated it at an impressive 4.6 out of 5, praising its intuitive interface, stating: "INTUITIVE INTERFACE: Feel at home while boosting productivity with Fuse’s easy-to-learn, familiar interface."

Additionally, Dental Products Support has provided positive feedback, highlighting the intuitive navigation that allows users to access a patient's comprehensive history through a simple, clean timeline. This includes patient conditions, clinical notes, treatment plans, clinical forms, clinical documents, perio exams, images, and more.

The product consistently maintains high ratings and is widely recognized as an industry leader in the field of dental practice management.