Background

Experion worked with a US-based digital mental health solutions provider, with operations across Australia, New Zealand & Europe, specializing in mental health wellbeing to re-engineer its digital platform for assessing, treating & monitoring behavioral health issues. The project was aimed at transforming the organization’s legacy software solution from a performance, usability, and scalability standpoint and incorporating a whole set of new features and functionalities. 

The Client

The client offers innovative technology solutions for behavioral health monitoring and treatment. The computer-guided solutions offered by the client provide video-based interactive programs that allow users to connect with a virtual therapist. The solution provides convenience, privacy, and autonomy of a digital application and is highly interactive and engaging providing a very personalized user experience.

The Application

One of the key solutions offered by the client is a desktop-based behavioral health application. It is a digital health tool designed to alleviate depression symptoms and manage stress levels. The solution had been originally developed to monitor and treat the behavioral health of astronauts during space missions. The application acts as a virtual therapist, simulating real-life conversations through a video-based interactive program. A virtual clinician guides the user through each session, with tailored responses (audio/ video) to user inputs, keeping them engaged. The objective is to provide a warm and responsive user experience while keeping them involved and focused on the outcome. Everyday challenges thrown by life can be quite stressful for some people, deepening behavioral health issues. Through the application, users learn the necessary skills to solve such issues successfully. By addressing such problems head-on, users feel better. 

Operational Challenges

The application uses over 200 audio and 150 video files for providing an interactive session to the client with minimal reading. Along with this, PHQ-9 is implemented for conducting user surveys. PHQ-9 is a self-administered questionnaire for monitoring the severity of depression and response to treatment.

To support multimedia, the solution was built on Adobe Director. Lingo, an Object-Oriented scripting language, was used to develop the software. However, Adobe Director is an outdated platform and has limitations in catering to the needs of today’s changing user requirements.

The desktop-based nature of the application made it difficult for the client team to monitor users remotely. As the user base increased, it created more stress on services offered, affecting the scalability of the solution. Also, the legacy system lacked a functional and aesthetic design structure and code organization, resulting in making changes to the software cost-intensive and difficult.

Experion Solution

Considering the above factors, Experion proposed re-engineering the solution using digital technologies. At the initial stage, a team of business analysts conducted an extensive study and gathered detailed project requirements. A report was prepared and submitted to the client team to evaluate Experion’s understanding of the project scope. Upon receiving a go-ahead from the client, the development phase was initiated. SCRUM methodology of Agile development was followed for development. But the process was not without challenges.

Many built-in algorithms that formed the core of the application had evolved. The client did not want to lose these algorithms while redeveloping the solution. However, the developers of the legacy system were no longer available to verify, provide documentation, or explain algorithms. The only source, therefore, was the existing software code.

The Experion team took on the task of deciphering the existing codebase and understanding underlying algorithms. Experion technology experts studied the codebase and created detailed workflow documents, which were verified with subject matter experts from the client-side.

A web-based solution was developed in React JS, to improve user experience. Existing audio and video files with improved resolution were used to enhance user experience.

Features

One of the fundamental features of the application is to provide tailored responses to users by managing multiple workflows. A ‘State-machine’ is used to drive workflows and screens, thereby arriving at an accurate response to the user inputs.

User engagement and retention is a vital part of the client business model. It takes 6 weeks for a user to complete a course from initial enrollment until the final survey. To encourage participation and ensure user retention, the application offers many functionalities, such as notifying a user on impending sessions and session scheduling among others.

Client Benefits

  • A cloud-based architecture has been used in solution deployment, which makes the solution scalable, allowing for easy integration with new services.
  • The client could address the demand for better user experience from their customers and improve the overall performance of the system.
  • The solution is HIPAA compliant and uses a shared, distributed database architecture.
  • The application is easy to use and navigate, regardless of the device on which it is being used. It can thus cater to a wider audience, which helps the client venture into newer market segments.

About Experion

Experion is an award-winning digital transformation and custom software development services provider. Since 2016, we have developed and maintained over 200 web/ mobile apps for our customers in 27 countries. We have two development centers in India that employs 450+ resources and offers technology solutions across Mobile, Web, Internet of Things (IoT), Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Analytics technologies.

Experion offers full life cycle testing and quality assurance service for mobile and web applications. Expert test engineers are an integral part of every project we work on to ensure the deliverables meet the most stringent quality standards. Our services are directed to help clients achieve quality at speed and ensure a secure online existence.