Product Management Case Study - Telemedicine Platform
Explore the vision that went into the creation of my second product ideation portfolio project as a Product Manager.
Project Information
The Client
A hypothetical SaaS company that creates software products for medical solutions for hospitals, healthcare providers and government organisations.
The Goal
Create a telemedicine platform that connects patients with healthcare professionals and includes a chatbot that can provide medical advice offline, improving access to medical care in remote areas.
Project Overview
The goal of this product ideation project is to conceptualize a new telemedicine platform that connects patients with healthcare professionals. It includes a chatbot capable of providing medical advice even when not connected to the internet, thereby addressing the need for improved access to medical care in remote areas.
Thought Process and Decision-Making
Identifying the Problem:
- I recognised the lack of access to medical care in remote rural areas in Nigeria due to limited internet connectivity, low income and inaccessible road to remote locations.
- I acknowledged the potential of telemedicine to bridge this gap and provide healthcare services remotely to low-income earners and people who live in remote locations and locations that are highly insecure.
Market Research:
- I conducted extensive research on the telemedicine market, focusing on underserved regions with poor connectivity in Nigeria.
- I analysed emerging trends in remote healthcare delivery, including the role of AI-driven chatbots.
User Personas:
- I created user personas for patients, healthcare professionals, and community health workers in Nigeria.
- I understand the unique challenges and needs of users in remote areas, such as limited literacy levels and the need for simplified interfaces.
Feature Prioritization:
- I prioritise features based on user needs and market gaps. Key features of the Telicare Product will include:
- Video and audio consultations.
- Offline-capable chatbot for basic medical advice.
- Medical history storage and sharing.
- Prescription and referral capabilities.
- I prioritise features based on user needs and market gaps. Key features of the Telicare Product will include:
Technical Considerations:
- I explored suitable technologies for enabling offline chatbot functionality.
- I considered a scalable and secure cloud infrastructure for telemedicine consultations.
- The product will need to ensure compliance with healthcare data privacy regulations.
Challenges
The challenges that will be faced in the execution of this project will include:
Offline Chatbot Functionality: Developing an AI-powered chatbot capable of functioning without an internet connection is a significant technical challenge.
User Training: Addressing the need for user-friendly interfaces and providing training resources for users with varying levels of digital literacy.
Data Security: Ensuring that patient data is securely stored and transmitted, especially when dealing with sensitive medical information.
Internet Connectivity: Overcoming potential connectivity issues for healthcare professionals on the other end of the consultation.
Benefits to Customers in Remote Rural Areas
The primary target audience for this tool is low-income customers in remote rural areas:
Access to Basic Medical Advice: Residents in remote areas can receive immediate medical advice from the chatbot, potentially addressing common health concerns.
Reduced Travel Burden: Patients and medical service providers no longer need to travel long distances for minor health issues, saving time and money.
Teleconsultations: When internet connectivity is available, patients can have teleconsultations with healthcare professionals, including specialists.
Minimum Viable Product (MVP)
Core Features:
User Registration and Profile Creation: Patients and healthcare professionals can register and create profiles.
Offline-Capable Chatbot: Develop an AI-driven chatbot capable of providing basic medical advice even when offline.
Online Teleconsultation: Enable video and audio consultations when internet connectivity is available.
Medical History Storage: Allow users to store and share medical history with healthcare professionals.
- Advice and Prescription: Allow users to receive medical advice and prescriptions from healthcare professionals.
My Management Approach
By deploying an iterative, incremental approach to work, I will lead a scrum team that can quickly solve problems and deliver useful versions of the product, with continuous feedback from stakeholders to refine the product over time.
Tasks for MVP Development (Agile Approach)
Sprint 1: User Registration and Profiles (2 weeks)
- Implement user registration and profile creation.
Sprint 2: Offline-Capable Chatbot (4 weeks)
- Develop and integrate the offline-capable chatbot.
Sprint 3: Online Teleconsultation (3 weeks)
- Implement video and audio consultation features.
Sprint 4: Medical History Storage (2 weeks)
- Create a secure mechanism for users to store and share medical history.
Sprint 5: MVP Testing and Bug Fixing (2 weeks)
- Conduct comprehensive testing, including user acceptance testing.
- Address any identified bugs or issues.
Sprint 6: MVP Release (1 week)
- Prepare for the MVP launch.
- Deploy the Telemedicine Platform for initial users.
Post-MVP Roadmap (Agile Approach):
- Continuous user feedback collection and incorporation into feature development.
- Future sprints may focus on improving the offline chatbot’s capabilities, expanding teleconsultation options, and enhancing data security.
Tools Used
- Agile Scrum – Team and Project Management approach.
- T-Shirt Size – Initiating & project delivery time estimation.
- Adobe XD – Visual design.
- Lucidchart – Wireframing.
- Behance & Dribble – Visual elements inspiration.
- GitHub – Code and process management.
- Google Workspace – Documentation & communication.
Key Metrics for Success
- Increased access to medical care in remote rural areas.
- High user engagement and satisfaction with the chatbot.
- Positive feedback from healthcare professionals regarding teleconsultation effectiveness.
Conclusion
This product ideation project aims to address the challenges in connecting patients with healthcare professionals and providing a chatbot that can provide medical advice even when offline in order to improve access to medical care in remote areas. The thought process involves identifying problems, conducting thorough market research, understanding user needs, and addressing potential challenges. This telemedicine product can offer benefits not only to low-income customers but also to stakeholders in the healthcare industry.
Result
I am happy with the result of this website although I have an ongoing desire to continuously tweak different functions and elements.
Testimonials
From people I worked with on this project…
Oisereime Dietake
Business Development Strategist
Racheal is an hardworking lady, a great writer and a beautiful friend. She has eyes for details and can keep you engaged with her blog posts. I have enjoyed working with on several projects, she’s a wonderful team player. I hope to work with her again.
Rachael Abiriba is a highly motivated individual with a passion for excellence. She has an eye for details beyond the norm. A go-getter. She’s also a team player with leadership qualities. Creatively gifted. Her writing skills are amazingly refreshing.
Charles O'Tudor
Brand Strategist
Moses Nnadi
Corporate & Litigation Attorney
I have known Racheal for over a decade as a course mate at the university as well as the Lagos Campus of the Nigerian Law School. In these years as colleagues, I have worked with her on different projects and assignments. She is organized, thorough, analytical and open to new leanings. Always seeks better ways to get things done. Even under pressure, she possesses an unexplainable calmness that’s infectious.