SmartPDT
SmartPDT is the unique digital solution setting free all the advantages of the non day light - photodynamic therapy in a professional and easy way
My role
Product Designer
Problem statement
How might we turn PDT from a “guess based” treatment into a guided, measurable and reassuring experience without adding complexity?
We then conduced multiple workshops with the team to work on personas and user journeys for each of the user groups mentioned i.e, patients and dermatologists. (Artefacts cannot be revealed due to confidentiality.)
The team then started mapping opportunities out of the pain points identified from the journey mapping:
User research
As a part of user research we traveled to Dundee and spoke to a few dermatologists and PDT patients from Dundee medical university. We understood their current PDT process and asked them questions around the challenges they face in the current process and found the same story from both sides.
Interview Process:
Conducted interviews with patients undergoing PDT for Actinic Keratosis and acne.
Interviewed dermatologists and nurses managing multiple PDT patients.
Observed patients performing daylight PDT at home or outdoors, noting behavior, confusion and anxiety.
“I just guess and hope I’ve stayed in the sun long enough.” — Patient
“We have no idea if they actually completed the treatment properly.” — Dermatologist
Insights:
Patients felt uncertain and anxious: “I never know if I’ve been outside long enough.”
Clinicians had limited visibility and relied on trust: “We just hope they do it correctly.”
Adherence was inconsistent; manual follow ups were time consuming and inefficient.
Both groups wanted guidance, reassurance and automated tracking.
Tools used
Adobe XD, Figma, Zeplin, Miro, Jira, invision
Team involved
Chief technology officer x 1
Product Manager x 1
FE engineers x 2
BE engineers x 4
QA testers x 1
Product designer x 1 (Poornima Adabala)
Overview
Product: SmartPDT, a digital medical platform that tracks light exposure in real time to guide Photodynamic Therapy (PDT) treatments for skin conditions like Actinic Keratosis and Acne.
Objective: Improve treatment accuracy, patient experience and clinical oversight while reducing admin burden for healthcare staff.
Photodynamic Therapy (PDT) is a proven treatment for skin conditions like Actinic Keratosis — but there’s one problem:
It relies on light. Real sunlight.
Problem
Patients undergoing Photodynamic Therapy are often unsure whether they’ve received the correct light dose leading to anxiety, inconsistent outcomes and poor adherence. Patients are given a cream and told to “go outside for about two hours and let the light do its work.” No timers. No guidance. No confirmation that they’re doing it right.
Clinicians and nurse coordinators have limited visibility once patients leave the treatment room, making it difficult to verify dosage, ensure safety, or document treatment. Also due to the age of the patients being over 75 an additional challenge is providing a user experience that is efficient.
The UX solution
A dual-experience system was proposed to solve the problem. An app for the patients to monitor their PDT and sun exposure and also a way to clearly guide them through the pre and post treatment procedures. It also shows the users all the information regarding appointments (past, present and future)
A web based solution for the dermatologists and nurses to keep a track of the patients, book an appointment, view live PDT sessions was proposed.
Multiple iterations were done before the product was presented during PDT conference.
Web portal screenshots
(Does not include all screens)
Registering patient to the portal
(Does not include all screens)
Live monitoring of a particular patient
Dashboard
Patient session information
App screenshots
Sign in with patient ID and password provided by their clinician
During the treatment
Scheduled treatment date and pre treatment beginning date
Post treatment follow up
Timeline
October 2019 - Jan 2021
Live monitoring - overview
Chat with the patient during treament
Information on PDT and erythemal doses received during a treatment session
Showcasing multiple treatments done by a same patient
Pre treatment steps
Post treatment follow up
Pre treatment steps
Notifications
Prototype
Clickable prototype to simulate patient guidance and clinician monitoring
Key Features Tested:
Countdown timers and real-time UV dose feedback
Visual progress bars for patients
Automatic logging for clinicians
Alerts for under/overexposure
Outcomes from Testing:
Patients reported reduced anxiety and increased confidence: “I finally know I’m doing it right.”
Clinicians appreciated automated logs and real-time oversight, saving hours of follow-up.
The prototype revealed additional opportunities for patient doctor communication.
Impact & Reflection
SmartPDT transformed PDT from an uncertain, manual, and error-prone treatment into a guided, measurable and scalable experience:
Patients feel confident and engaged
Clinicians gain visibility and efficiency
Clinics improve treatment consistency, compliance and scalability
Healthcare UX is about more than usability — it’s about trust, confidence, and safety. SmartPDT demonstrates how design thinking can turn complex medical procedures into human-centered experiences.