Design of a New Medical Feature

Research and Discussion

New medical features such as symptoms and equipment were regularly added to the software. I worked closely with our nursing consultants to understand the real-world version then determine how to translate it into virtual reality, designing with consideration of the aforementioned system.

Flow Map & References/Mockups

Next step was creating a flow map for the new interaction, incorporating visual references and any required interface mockups as references here. This flow was workshopped with nursing, art and development to ensure technical feasibility and accuracy. It then served as a reference for all team members throughout the development and testing process.

Testing

New features were tested at several points during the development process, getting into VR to test early prototypes as soon as possible with nursing, QA and myself. I would have liked to incorporate user testing also but this was not budgeted for. Fortunately, we regularly received very positive feedback about how easy to use the platform was.

UX Debt: Teleportation

Identifying and understanding the issue

By reviewing a large set of UbiSim user session recordings (taken within the headset), I identified some usability issues. The biggest struggle seemed to be with the teleportation mechanism, which of course does not have the same real-life intuitiveness (move and grab!) as most other interactions.

Teleportation has become the preferred locomotive mechanism across VR apps, for its ease of use while avoiding motion sickness. While owners of a headset quickly become used to it, our target audience are students who may only use VR in UbiSim when at school, as little as a few times a semester. I recognized two issues: learners struggled to aim, and struggled to remember what to push on the joystick.

Comparative Research

In comparing VR apps, I identified two main types of teleport: free (users can jump to any location) and zoned (predefined locations). UbiSim used zoned teleports (preferrable to keep learners focused and able to reach equipment and the patient), but required users to aim down at the floor: more akin to free teleport.

I also found the best orientational experiences allow users to practice required mechanisms in a streamlined, yet themed space before entering the main experience. This serves a mental bridge between real and VR worlds and prevents users being overwhelmed and frustrated.

Flow map and mockups

I designed a simple flow and storyboard-style mockups to convey the intended design of a new orientation space and teleport UI.

Design

Previously, learners started in an empty space and needed to press two buttons to start: an action that is never repeated when in the simulation. Now, users arrive at a simplified hospital space with a desk and patient room door. Users are instructed how to teleport and must do so in order to begin the experience: so they can learn or be reminded how before the additional pressure of the simulation itself.

When attempting to teleport, learners were previously required to aim at the floor and shown a full body avatar preview for where they would go. Frequently, they would aim up at it only to be confused when it disappeared! I swapped the avatar with a simplified column with a clear selected state, and allowed aiming along the full vertical axis.

User Testing

I used a site visit to one of our clients (Fanshawe University) to conduct user testing of the orientation and teleport mechanisms. Observationally, I saw users experience minimal issues, and questionnaires showed users found the experience very intuitive and enjoyable.

Final Thoughts

The great thing about working long-term on a living product is the opportunity to evolve the platform in response to changing user needs. The tricky part can be keeping strong processes in place while remaining agile. Overall, I am very proud of the way I helped transform the platform and keep usability a priority for both new features and maintenance.