From:  Digital patient journey in medical tourism: experiences from Ukraine in a global context

 Interpretation of expert respondents’ answers in the context of their professional vision of which elements of Human-Centered Design are key for a digital tourism product.

Digital medical serviceUsers need to be taken into account by digital servicesShare of similar interpretations in respondents’ answers, %Quote from interview
Mobile app for appointments and online consultationsResponse speed, awareness, and remote access85.0%“Patients who use our mobile app are almost always satisfied with the response speed and awareness”—clinic manager, Kyiv
Social media/online reviewsInformation support, trust in the clinic, assistance in decision-making65.0%“Younger patients and their relatives often choose a clinic after reviews on social media”—head of the rehabilitation department, Lviv
Telemedicine (video consultations)Accessibility for people with disabilities, autonomy, and control over treatment75.0%“The accessibility of telemedicine for patients with disabilities greatly influences their assessment of the service”—Expert in inclusive medicine, Kharkiv
Messengers (Viber, WhatsApp, Telegram)Prompt communication, appointment reminders, and quick responses to questions80.0%“Patients appreciate instant responses via messengers, which allows them quickly resolve issues without making phone calls”—clinic manager, Kyiv
Online registration for an appointment via the websiteConvenient planning, time savings, and avoiding queues70.0%“Online registration allows patients to choose a convenient time and avoid queues”—communication manager, Odesa
Chatbot on the websiteInformation support without waiting for an operator, answers to frequently asked questions60.0%“The chatbot helps you get quick answers to standard questions without waiting for an operator”—clinic’s digital product manager, Lviv
Mobile app with personalized remindersTreatment monitoring, personalized recommendations, increased sense of security70.0%“Patients receive reminders about tests and doctors’ recommendations, which increases their confidence in the treatment process”—head of the patient experience department, Kyiv

Source: developed by the authors.