ION
Service, Experience design
2024
The Problem
The project addresses the challenge of medication adherence, particularly for individuals with chronic illnesses. Many people, especially older adults and children, face difficulties managing daily medications. Factors like forgetfulness, unpleasant taste, and dosage confusion contribute to non-adherence. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), only about 50% of patients adhere to prescribed treatments, leading to worsened health outcomes and increased healthcare costs. The research cites that poor medication adherence results in a loss of 125 billion euros annually across Europe. Therefore, improving adherence is crucial for both patient well-being and economic sustainability.
The Solution
ION is an innovative service that simplifies medication for chronic patients through 3D-printed, personalized doses. Addressing the widespread issue of poor adherence, ION reduces the mental and physical burden of complex treatments by consolidating multiple medications into just three pills a day, improving both health outcomes and quality of life.
This service integrates a portable smart dispenser, a digital platform for tracking prescriptions and refills, and RFID technology embedded in the packaging for precise monitoring. Applying a user-centered design approach, the development process focuses on optimizing the patient experience, identifying key pain points in treatment initiation and daily medication intake. Extensive research and iterative prototyping ensured that the final solution seamlessly fits into users’ daily lives, reducing stress and enhancing adherence.
Features
The pillboxes feature a compact, ergonomic design inspired by PEZ dispensers, allowing precise, effortless pill retrieval. Embedded sensors track remaining doses, while LED indicators provide real-time feedback, preventing missed or accidental double doses.
Color psychology and texture differentiation enhance usability, with yellow (morning), green (afternoon), and purple (night). Textured surfaces help visually impaired users distinguish between doses, ensuring accessibility. Monochrome and soft-tone variants are also available.
ION’s connectivity ensures seamless medication management. Pillboxes sync with a base station that provides alerts, monitors inventory, and communicates with caregivers via an app. The system not only improves adherence but also enhances patient autonomy, reducing anxiety around medication routines.
International Award Winner
A milestone in my professional journey!
I’m thrilled to share that I have received an International Design Award, I won Silver in the Health & Life Science category with my work on ION, a project close to my heart.
