Mobile Health · UX Design · Clinical Prototyping
Overview
The HIV Dementia TestKit project involved designing and developing a mobile application version of the HIV Dementia Scale, a rapid screening tool created by the Johns Hopkins HIV Neurosciences Group. The goal was to translate a clinically validated paper-based assessment into a digital experience that could support consistent administration, reduce friction during screening, and improve usability in clinical settings.
The tool provides a baseline screening for HIV-Associated Neurocognitive Disorders (HAND), helping clinicians identify early cognitive impairment while remaining accessible to patients without overt symptoms.
• Date: 06/01/2018 – 1/30/2019
• Principal Investigator: Justin McArthur, MBBS, MPH, FAAN
• Role: Product Designer, UI/UX Developer, Prototype development
Design Challenge
How can a sensitive cognitive screening process be digitized without:
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increasing patient anxiety,
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disrupting clinical workflows, or
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compromising the integrity of a validated medical assessment?
The challenge was not simply usability, but trust—ensuring the digital tool felt clinically credible, emotionally appropriate, and easy to use in time-constrained healthcare environments.
Design Approach
The design focused on clarity, neutrality, and cognitive ease.
Key considerations included:
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Translating complex clinical instructions into simple, guided interactions
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Reducing visual noise to support focus and comprehension
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Designing neutral, non-alarming visual language appropriate for cognitive testing
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Supporting clinicians with clear progression and minimal setup
The interface was intentionally restrained, prioritizing readability, consistency, and predictable interaction patterns over stylistic expression.
Prototyping & Implementation
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Developed an interactive mobile prototype aligned with the original HIV Dementia Scale methodology
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Designed step-by-step task flows to reduce administration errors
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Ensured touch targets, timing, and feedback supported accurate data capture
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Collaborated closely with clinical investigators to validate usability decisions
The prototype allowed the team to explore how digital tools could support screening while preserving the rigor of established medical protocols.
Impact & Outcomes
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Demonstrated feasibility of mobile-based cognitive screening
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Improved consistency and ease of administration compared to paper workflows
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Provided a foundation for future clinical digital tools within the department
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Reinforced the role of design in translating clinical expertise into usable systems
Reflection
This project reinforced the importance of empathy and restraint in healthcare design. When working with cognitive and neurological conditions, design decisions must be careful, respectful, and deeply human. The success of the tool depended not on novelty, but on clarity, trust, and alignment with clinical realities.