Ypsomed delivers tailored products through iterative user testing and feedback integration
Are you looking for digital health solutions that are adopted by patients at the start of therapy and keeps them on the therapy for as long as it is necessary? Here is what you should know:
- The 5 main challenges patients encounter when performing selfcare at home – results from our Human Factors studies with chronic disease patients using self-injectors.
- How Ypsomed develops digital health solutions that meet patient needs.
- How Ypsomed supports pharmaceutical companies in broadening their understanding of the needs of their specific patient populations and how to best support them.
Together with pharmaceutical partners, Ypsomed strives to bring selfcare to the next level!
Meet Anna and find out how inadequate selfcare affects her life and mental health
I used to be the type of person that would go out all the time. Now I don't go anywhere. I don't go out with friends. My condition is embarrassing.
As the warmth of spring comes through her window, Anna sits at home lost in her thoughts. Memories of her and her friends embarking on a cycling tour tug at her mind. It strikes her that she has been absent from such activities for months now. The persistent ache in her joints and symptoms of her rheumatoid arthritis has kept her from partaking in sports and seeing her friends regularly.
She is already aware that she should take her medication regularly and how much it would improve her condition, but she is too afraid to inject herself as she does not really remember how to do it properly. Thinking back to her diagnosis, she never had a hands-on training on injection processes. Seeking guidance, she turns to the internet — only to be met with conflicting advice that does little to ease her doubts. With a heavy heart, Anna recognizes the challenge of incorporating treatment into her daily life. Despite her efforts, the journey to managing her condition feels daunting.
I was panicked when I picked up the medication! There was no one to explain it. You have to do everything. I'm sick, and then I have to play my own nurse? I am lost.
While Anna’s story may be fictional, similar stories are told in our Human Factors studies.1 The thoughts and emotions Anna experiences while navigating her selfcare journey reflects the real-life struggles of countless individuals living with rheumatoid arthritis and other chronic conditions.
5 key challenges in selfcare - patient's perspective
- Complex treatment regime may overwhelm patients.
- Lack of information and education hinders correct selfcare and habits of self-injection routines.
- Low self-efficacy due to a lack of training.
- Low self-confidence fuelled by fear of forgetting something.
- Negative mindset towards therapy caused by injection anxiety and psychological distress.
Results from our Human Factors studies and literature research 1,2,3
Discover how Ypsomed develops digital health solutions to meet patient needs
At Ypsomed, user feedback isn't just a box to tick, but rather it's a guiding principle. We believe in creating technology that is not only functional, but also truly serves its users.
Ypsomed is a leader in selfcare solutions and stands out with their commitment in understanding patient needs for over 40 years. We conduct Human Factors studies regularly to ensure our products resonate within our target audience. These studies consist of thorough examinations to delve deeper into how users interact with our solutions, which allows us to gain invaluable insights into user preferences, challenges, and behaviours. These findings are systematically integrated into our product development process from start to finish by shaping design choices and feature implementations.
In our digital health solutions, we engage with patients to understand their experiences in selfcare with and without digital solutions by involving techniques such as prototype testing, cognitive walkthroughs, think-aloud interviews, and formative Human Factors testing.
Through iterative testing and feedback sessions, we identified the main patient challenges and areas of product improvement such as interface and navigation adjustments for step-by-step injection support, logbook access, and overall therapy-management. These insights flow directly into product development, thereby ensuring that our solutions meet the diverse patient needs.
Ypsomed Digital Health
Seamlessly integrated connected injection devices with digital therapy management designed to connect, engage and empower patients in selfcare and delivering business changing insight to pharmaceutical companies.
Just 4 steps to personalized selfcare support
- Equip patients with the right tools and content; empowering them to manage their therapy.
- Deliver personalized trainings as needed in order to support self-efficacy.
- Guide patients through the injection process step-by-step to promote patient self-confidence.
- Support patients by teaching them relaxation techniques in their routine to foster an overall positive mindset.
A successful start to therapy is key for solution adaptation: Multifactorial and individual support from caregivers and digital solutions is needed to foster self-confidence and self-efficacy directly from the start. This type of support ensures a smooth onboarding into new therapies, and better adaptation to the digital health solutions.
Personalized support throughout therapy is essential to keep patient on the therapy for as long as needed: Delivering personalised support on an as-needed basis by providing consistent reminders and support throughout the treatment, thus resulting in an accurate and balanced dosage leads to a positive mindset throughout the entirety of the therapy's duration.
Ypsomed digital health supports pharmaceutical companies by broadening their understanding to the needs of their patient populations and how to best support them. We jointly develop your customized solutions, and together we bring selfcare to the next level.
It’s not just about taking the medication, but (the app) really offers an overall picture of my disease. The continuous support and everyday tips are great.
Stefanie Seiler
Stefanie Seiler is Product Manager Digital Health at Ypsomed, driving digital health solutions. She has 8 years of experience in healthcare with focus on clinical research, real-world data, and digital health solutions. In her previous position, she closely collaborated with various stakeholders in the healthcare system to develop a real-world data platform nationwide to improve therapy outcomes for patients. Stefanie holds a Ph.D. in Biomedical Sciences from University of Bern, Switzerland.
Ivana Matijasevic
Ivana Matijasevic is Human Factors and User Experience Manager at Ypsomed, driving digital health solutions. Combining psychological insights with technical expertise, she excels in Human Factors within the digital health sector. Her focus on intuitive design ensures impactful interactions with digital health tech. Both collaborative and innovative, Ivana is dedicated to advancing healthcare outcomes through a user-centred approach. Ivana holds a Bachelor of science in Applied Psychology from the University of Applied Sciences and Arts Northwestern Switzerland.
References
1 Human Factors studies for Ypsomed Digital Health
2 World Health Organization
3 Schiff et al., Rheumatol Ther (2017) 4:445–463
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