MiSurg
Optimizing the fundamental laparoscopic surgery (FLS) training and feedback experience for students at UMich Medical School
Aug. - Dec. 2023
Time
Adobe Illustator
Tools
Figma
Mural
Miro
Framing, Problem analysis, Competitive analysis, Persona, QOC, User scenarios, Narrative storyboard, Story mapping, User flow, Sketching, Low-Fi & Hi-Fi prototyping
My Contribution
The project won 1st place at UMSI EXPO 2024 among 400 other projects. Special thanks to my UX teammates: Rachana Gone, Siddhi More, Yidi Lin
Laparoscopy is a procedure utilized to examine abdominal organs with an annual performance rate of nearly 15 million in the United States alone.
Though the current training system at the University of Michigan offers flexible timing and plenty of resources, it lacks enough constructive feedback, leaving residents frustrated and unsure about where they need to improve.
Why does it matter and how can we approach it?
The current Fundamentals of Laparoscopic Surgery (FLS) training lacks effective post-surgery feedback, limiting residents' improvement and affecting patient outcomes. As a leading research institution, the UMich medical school also supports training for practitioners at nearby universities and colleges, creating high demand for its facilities. Therefore, a standardized real-time feedback system is needed to enhance learning efficiency and exam pass rates. Applying IxD principles and integrating technologies like VR, AR, and radar systems can create seamless feedback loops, improving both cognitive and technical skills while enhancing the efficiency and quality of FLS training, leading to better patient safety and outcomes.
The Context
Our target users are medical trainees, including surgical trainees, fellows, and practicing surgeons, who need to master laparoscopic surgery, as well as medical instructors responsible for guiding and assessing their progress.
The Users
Project Impact
15%
reduction in task failure rate. Trainees reported that real-time error detection helped them correct mistakes on the spot in the practice mode.
78%
of instructors noting that the feedback dashboard significantly streamlined trainee progress reviews.
90%
in system adoption rate among test users (both trainees and instructors)
93%
of users reporting higher motivation due to the leaderboard mechanism.
Comprehensive Problem Analysis
Upon our visit to the simulation center, we observed demonstrations of FLS tasks and how information is presented. Using both divergent and convergent thinking, we explored the FLS training problem space, identifying challenges. After analyzing these issues and recognizing their interconnected nature, we narrowed down the core problems affecting trainee performance. By focusing on these key areas, we proposed potential solutions including haptic feedback, digital logbooks, and AI-driven analysis to make FLS training more efficient and effective.
*Field observation and interview notes
Dive Deeper
With the main problems in mind, we proceeded to research existing solutions and analyze data, using methodologies including competitive analysis, needfinding, user interviews, and personas, to create solutions better tailored to our target users.
Competitive Analysis
The competitive analysis featured 5 products, including both direct and indirect competitors, providing leading solutions in the industry.
Needfinding
We identified a list of subject matter experts (SMEs) and focused on gathering qualitative and quantitative data through interviews and user group analysis to uncover key challenges and preferences of medical trainees and instructors, providing insights that will inform the design of an effective FLS training solution.
User
Trainees, age 25-35
Instructors
Exam proctors
Technology
Real-time feedback
Timer
Haptic feedback
Error detection
Recording
User Environment
Quiet
Organized
Minimize distraction
24/7 access
Social Aspect
Teamwork
Communicatioin
Peer competition
Gamification
Persona
We serve three user roles: full-time trainees, who spend most of their time on campus and have flexible schedules (primary); part-time trainees, who juggle family responsibilities and tight schedules, along with non-UMich students who have limited access to campus (secondary); and instructors or proctors, who supervise and teach the FLS curriculum (primary).
*Only little persona is shown for simplicity
Ideation
Designing with flexibility and time-saving features is crucial to meet their needs. The ideation process involved multiple methodologies, including sketching, storyboarding, user journey, story mapping, and finally, validating and eliminating ideas through QOC (Question, Option, Criteria) before prototyping.
User Journey
User Flow
Story Map
Narrative Storyboard
Sketching (Tool 1-8)
Sketching (Tool 5-8)
QOC (Question, Option, Criteria)
Prototypes
Design Strategies and Implications
01 Encourage trainees to follow structured practice plans
The joint calendar allows students to share plans and receive social accountability, while progress tracking on a dashboard motivates them to stay on track and avoid procrastination.
02 Provide real-time and post-practice feedback to enhance trainee performance
The system provides real-time and post-practice feedback, helping trainees quickly correct errors and focus on specific tasks, leading to faster learning and higher pass rates.
03 Motivate trainees to practice more through competition and gamification
A leaderboard fosters competition, motivating trainees to practice more, while non-competitive students can track progress via a circle chart, improving both practice and exam performance.
04 Enhance communication between trainees and instructors
Feedback channels, such as video submissions and digital logbooks, improve communication between trainees and instructors, facilitating timely feedback and adjustments to teaching plans, boosting learning speed and pass rates.
Introducing MiSurg
MiSurg is a two-portal comprehensive tracking and feedback platform designed to enhance the practice of fundamental laparoscopic surgery. It helps trainees stay organized by facilitating study planning, provides real-time and post-practice feedback for immediate error correction, and improves communication between trainees and instructors. By motivating trainees to practice more efficiently, the system accelerates the learning process and increases FLS exam pass rates.
Trainee Mode
Radar System: Provides real-time feedback on trainee performance, displaying visual metrics like precision, speed, time, and accuracy during simulated FLS tasks.
Video Recording: Enables trainees to capture and review their performance for detailed analysis of instrument handling and procedural steps, supporting the long-term goal of continuous self-assessment and improvement in laparoscopic skills.
Joint Calendar: Trainees can schedule practice sessions and exams, check lab availability, practice after hours, collaborate with peers, and book sessions with their instructor, optimizing resource use and coordination.
Performance Data Analysis: Allows trainees to assess their performance, particularly in challenging tasks, by providing graphical representations of progress over time. This enables both trainees and educators to analyze trends and identify areas for improvement.
Ranking system: allows trainees to compare their performance with peers. This fosters healthy competition and motivates continuous improvement. This also allows peers to see who performed each task well and schedule a meeting with them to practice.
Instructor Mode
Appointment scheduling system: streamlines 1:1 meetings, office hours, and test appointments, helping instructors efficiently coordinate personalized supervision while aligning with class schedules for optimal support.
Trainee list: A central portal that provides detailed information on each trainee, including training data, progress, grades, and digital logbook. It also allows for managing individual appointments efficiently.
