THE IMPACT OF INCIDENTAL COSTS for High Risk, low-income pregnant Patients

The Project

Should the cost of medical care be a topic of conversation for providers and patients? In 2016, the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation (RWJF) funded eight sites across the nation to investigate this question. Our team in Chicago proposed to examine the impact of cost for high-risk, low-income pregnant patients.

For this one-year project, the team 1) conducted research with 20 pregnant patients, XX physicians, medical assistants, clinic front-desk staff, clinic executives and 2) developed a prototype tool to support cost of care conversations.

My role

I developed the research guide and conducted the 20 patient interviews, oversaw two graduate student teams and inform the development of all three prototypes. 2019, I was invited to the RWJF to present patient perspective on COST and discuss my design-led approach to qualitative research.

Pregnant patients were shown two prototypes: one that was focused on visits and the other that was focused on test and diagnostics. Based on the interviews, the most useful concepts were incorporated into a third concept.

Pregnant patients were shown two prototypes: one that was focused on visits and the other that was focused on test and diagnostics. Based on the interviews, the most useful concepts were incorporated into a third concept.

The team conducted 6 rounds of observations and shadowing, 12 intercept interviews with staff, and tested 22 prototypes before refining the six compentnts.

The team conducted 6 rounds of observations and shadowing, 12 intercept interviews with staff, and tested 22 prototypes before refining the six compentnts.

LEVERING BEHAVIORAL DESIGN