Primary User Motivations
Using the insights I gathered through contextual inquiry interviews and surveys, I then created the following personas based on three primary user motivations our team decided to focus on.
Persona #1: On a Mission to Get Answers
Em Oxborrow
Age:
19 [18-29]
Race:
Caucasian
Gender Identity:
Non-binary
Education:
Some college credit, no degree
Hometown:
Waukegan, Illinois
“I’m sick of hearing doctors tell me ‘you’re too young for this’ when I explain my symptoms or suggest I simply ‘reduce stress’ when my test results come back ‘normal.’”
Em is a social policy major who had to switch to part-time college enrollment because of their health. They still haven’t received a diagnosis that explains their symptoms and is in need of a supportive community that can help them improve their quality of life.
Persona #2: On a Mission to Discover Treatments
Dion Fields
Age:
43 [30-44]
Race:
Black/African American
Gender Identity:
Male
Education:
Masters in Business
Hometown:
Greenville, South Carolina
“I feel like I’m out of options. I’ve gone through so many tests and tried so many different treatments but nothing’s working. All I seem to get in return is new side effects and medical debt I’ll never be able to pay off.’”
Dion is an accounting director who is worried about losing his job if he can’t figure out how to effectively manage his conditions. He needs to discover and try new treatment options and wants to find a group of people who can understand and help him.
Persona #3: On a Mission to Help Others
Lina Albidrez
Age:
61 [60+]
Race:
Hispanic
Gender Identity:
Female
Education:
Bachelors in Performing Arts
Hometown:
Fort Worth, Texas
“So many online groups are all about complaining and venting and just seem to have the wrong attitude. I’m looking for a community that’s focused on practical content that can help people improve their own lives as well as others.’”
Lina is a certified patient advocate who wants to help others by sharing what she’s lived through and learned. She also wants to find more holistic approaches to managing the emotional and physical challenges of her own chronic illnesses.