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The New CVD Risk Calculator

Partnering with the Heart Foundation and the Australian Chronic Disease Prevention Alliance, we embarked on creating an updated Cardiovascular Disease Risk Calculator.

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Overview

In partnership with the Heart Foundation and the Australian Chronic Disease Prevention Alliance, Hinterlands was tasked with the design and development of a revised online Cardiovascular Disease (CVD) website and Risk Calculator.

This tool was designed to empower GPs and also Australians to accurately assess their heart disease risk based on the latest clinical guidelines and research data. The need for an updated tool was critical, given the evolving research around cardiovascular health understanding and technology.

The Challenges

  • Research Integration

    Incorporating the latest cardiovascular research and clinical guidelines into a practical, user-friendly digital application was paramount. This required not just technical prowess but also a deep understanding of healthcare protocols and patient needs.

  • Accessibility and Usability

    Creating a tool that was intuitive and accessible to a wide audience, including those with disabilities and non-English speakers, was essential. It needed to be accurate yet simple enough for both health professionals and the general public.

  • Technical Alignment

    Adapting the technology to align with new and emerging standards like FHIR (Fast Healthcare Interoperability Resources) for healthcare data, which was crucial for ensuring the tool's future usability across different health platforms.

Before   After

The Solutions

Hinterlands leveraged a comprehensive strategy that intertwined cutting-edge technology with human-centred design principles.

  • Design

    We undertook extensive user research to develop detailed personas that guided the UX/UI design. Wireframing and prototyping were iteratively refined through multiple rounds of focus group testing, ensuring the final product was both functional and visually appealing.

  • Technology

    Our choice of technologies like Node.js for robust backend services, ReactJS for a dynamic and responsive frontend, and Craft CMS and AWS for secure, scalable cloud hosting formed the backbone of the development process.

  • Agile Development

    By embracing an agile development methodology, we were able to remain flexible and responsive to feedback, ensuring continuous improvement throughout the project lifecycle.

The final results

The newly launched CVD Risk Calculator quickly became a cornerstone tool used nationally, with over 3,000 daily interactions. Praised for its precision and user-friendly interface, the calculator has significantly impacted how Australians manage their cardiovascular health.

Professional Endorsement

The tool has received widespread acclaim from healthcare professionals for its integration into clinical workflows, enhancing the delivery of preventive healthcare.

User Engagement

Improvements in user engagement metrics have been remarkable, with a substantial increase in session duration and a decrease in bounce rates, indicating that users find the tool both informative and easy to use.

Award Recognition

We are proud to announce that our collaborative project with the Heart Foundation, the Australian Cardiovascular Disease Risk Calculator, was recognised as a WINNER in the not-for-profit category of the iAwards on the 18th of July, 2024. The iAwards is Australia's longest-running innovation recognition program, celebrating the achievements of the ICT industry and acknowledging projects that push the boundaries of technology.

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This recognition is a testament to the hard work and dedication of our team members. We would like to extend gratitude to Margot Potts, our lead designer, whose vision and creativity were instrumental in crafting a user-friendly interface. Peter Lu, our technical lead, played a crucial role in managing the risk algorithm process with precision and expertise. Zach Hurst's agile management ensured the project stayed on track and delivered outstanding results.

Using digital technology to help save lives is incredibly rewarding, and this award underscores the impact of innovative health solutions. We are honoured to have contributed to a project that has the potential to make a significant difference in people's lives.

Future plans

Hinterlands is committed to expanding the functionality of the CVD Risk Calculator by integrating it with Electronic Health Records (EHR) using FHIR standards. This integration will streamline the process for GPs to assess and discuss CVD risks directly within their practice software. Additionally, there is potential to explore extending this technology to assess risks for other chronic conditions, further broadening our impact on public health.

Why FHIR?

Fast Healthcare Interoperability Resources (FHIR) is a standard designed to make healthcare data exchange systematic and easy across different healthcare systems. Hinterlands chose FHIR for its flexibility, modern web-based technology, and strong support community, ensuring our applications are interoperable and future-proof. Our development aligned with FHIR's protocols includes

Interoperability

Ensuring seamless communication between healthcare systems.

Modern API Use

Leveraging RESTful APIs that conform to FHIR standards.

Security

Adhering to strict security protocols to protect patient data.

Why Hinterlands?

Hinterlands is not just a design and technology provider but a strategic partner that excels in transforming complex challenges into user-friendly digital solutions. Our expertise in web and application development, combined with a deep commitment to innovation and quality, makes us the preferred choice for projects that require thoughtful integration of technology, design, and user experience. By choosing Hinterlands, you're investing in a future where technology enhances every aspect of health and wellbeing.

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