Revolutionizing Early Childhood Development Monitoring in Sri Lanka
Embracing Technology to Enhance Child Health and Well-being
In Sri Lanka, early detection of developmental disabilities in children, such as cerebral palsy, mental retardation, and autism, faces challenges. The detection rate stands at a mere 30%, hindered by limited awareness, insufficient facilities, and oversight in monitoring crucial developmental milestones. Addressing this critical issue, I collaborated with the Family Health Bureau to create a transformative mobile app designed to streamline the collection and analysis of child developmental data.
The Journey of Innovation: The Double Diamond Approach
Discover:
My journey began with an extensive research phase. I conducted structured surveys among Public Health Midwives and expectant parents to gauge their understanding of early childhood developmental delays and media usage. Through semi-structured interviews with mothers, health officials, and medical experts, I delved into the nuances of child development and health system requirements. Observational research at local clinics provided valuable insights into the cultural and practical aspects of child healthcare.
Define:
My focus narrowed to Public Health Midwives, vital players in child health monitoring. I explored their behaviors, motivations, and challenges in assessing child development. This led to the identification of gaps in the current assessment methods and data management systems. My goals were set: standardize and enhance child assessment quality, improve data collection methods, and facilitate immediate advice and data sharing.
Design:
The design stage involved rigorous user experience testing with midwives to refine child assessment techniques and data handling processes. I organized information architecture using card sorting and developed functional flowcharts and wireframes. These were thoroughly vetted by medical professionals to ensure medical validity.
Deliver:
My focus shifted to branding – naming the app, designing the logo, and choosing visual and icon styles, typefaces, and color palettes. I then developed high-fidelity prototypes, continually testing and refining them with users and medical experts. Key features included motivational leaderboards for midwives, location data utilization, accessibility options, Tamil language support, helplines, and reminder notifications.
