About the Client
Ujazo (commonly referred to in this project as MedlinePlus) is a community-oriented health technology initiative. MedlinePlus is the world's most trusted online health information service, operated by the U.S. National Library of Medicine (NLM) and the National Institutes of Health (NIH).
The project's primary mission is: "To help consumers clearly understand their own health status and learn how to improve areas needing attention" by providing authoritative, accessible, and free medical information.
The Challenge
Despite possessing a vast and reputable medical database, MedlinePlus faced the challenge of reaching users in the mobile era:
- Information Overload: Users often felt overwhelmed by thousands of academic medical articles. They lacked a tool to filter and find information relevant to their specific medical conditions.
- Lack of Personalization: Traditional websites only provided one-way information. Customers needed a more interactive experience where they could track personal health metrics (weight, blood pressure, medications) and receive corresponding advice.
- Limited Mobile Experience: The demand for health lookups on smartphones skyrocketed, but the old web interface did not meet the convenience and speed users expected.
SETA Solution
SETA International collaborated to develop a Mobile Health Solution, transforming MedlinePlus's massive database into a pocket-sized "health assistant":
Mobile App Development:
- Developed iOS and Android applications with a friendly interface, focusing on Consumer-centric UX.
- Integrated a smart search tool helping users quickly look up symptoms, medications, and treatments from the authoritative database.
Personalization Engine:
- Built features allowing users to create personal health profiles. The application utilizes this data to recommend the most relevant articles, medical news, and Health Tips for each individual.
Data Integration:
- Connected APIs directly with the NLM data system, ensuring all information displayed on the app is up-to-date and accurate according to U.S. medical standards.
Business Impact
The collaboration with SETA has helped bring authoritative medical knowledge closer to millions of users:
- Enhancing Community Awareness: Helps users easily access reliable health information, thereby becoming more proactive in prevention and Self-care.
- Personalized Care: Instead of reading generic information, users receive specific guidance for their own issues, helping improve treatment outcomes and lifestyle.
- Credibility and Trust: The application became a standard reference source, helping users avoid widespread health fake news on social media.
