Enhancing The Visibility of the Search Feature

20% NPS increased

PROJECT OVERVIEW

PROJECT OVERVIEW

PROJECT OVERVIEW

Client

Client

Client

Medscape — an online medical resource

Medscape is the leading online global destination for physicians and healthcare professionals worldwide, offering the latest medical news and expert perspectives; essential point-of-care drug and disease information; and relevant professional education and CME

Duration

12 weeks

Position

UX Researcher, Designer

Researcher, Designer

Company

Medscape

Process

Research, Redesign

Imapct

Imapct

Imapct

We achieved

20%

NPS (Net Promoter Score) incresed

PROJECT PREVIEW

PROJECT PREVIEW

PROJECT PREVIEW

Project Preview

Project Preview

Project Preview

Enhancing Medscape's Search Experience

Medscape is pivotal in transforming medical practice by providing crucial, informative content that supports informed decision-making in healthcare. Recognizing the need for accessible, user-friendly information, this project engaged five usability researchers to conduct a thorough Moderated Remote User Test.

10 healthcare professionals were interviewed to ensure accuracy. The study aimed to evaluate and improve Medscape’s search experience, resulting in 3 key recommendations: Enhancing The Search Bar’s Prominence With Integrated Filters, Streamlining Filter Options On The Search Results Page, and Incorporating Intuitive Language in the Drug Interaction Checker. After the user research, we visualize the new design and proposed to Medscape UX/Design team.

Solution 1

Solution 1

Solution 1

Improve Search Visibility and Enable Instant Filtering

Allows users to immediately narrow down their search

Solution 2

Solution 2

Solution 2

Simplified Filtering of Search Results

Allows users to have a clear view of all filtering options

Solution 3

Solution 3

Solution 3

Designed Intuitive Language and Signals for Drug Interaction Checker

RESEARCH & DISCOVERY

RESEARCH

RESEARCH & DISCOVERY

User Research

User Research

User Research

Methodology

User Test method to assess the effectiveness of users in performing specific tasks

Participant Recruitment

Moderated user testing typically involves five steps: identifying the target user group, recruiting participants, creating scenarios, conducting tests, and analyzing data. For this Medscape.com study, we consulted Hannah Goldstrow, Medscape's Director of Design, to define the target user profile:

  • Physician

  • Registered nurse

  • Pharmacist

  • Other health professionals

  • Who is currently working in the United States

Remote moderated testing

During each half-hour session, participants were instructed to use the "Think Aloud" technique, in which they vocalized their thoughts as they moved through the interface and completed the assigned tasks.

Scenarios and Tasks

The study involves three scenarios and corresponding tasks, along with a post-test

survey

#1

You have a patient with a complex drug regimen, and you want to review potential drug interactions to ensure their safety.

Search for potential interactions between "Warfarin" and "Aspirin."

#2

You are attending a medical conference next week and want to prepare by reviewing the latest news or research on a specific topic.
Find recent articles or studies on "Immunotherapy in Cancer Treatment."

#3

You are interested in finding a relevant CME activity for gaining credits, and you need to ensure

that you are up to date with the most recent information in your field in the form of classes,

articles, and other helpful content.
Starting at the Medscape.com homepage, find a related CME activity that would help you meet the yearly credit requirements.

User Interviews

User Interviews

User Interviews

Define problems and design goals

User interviews uncover pain points, behaviors, and preferences. These insights ensure that design decisions are both user-centered and aligned with organizational goals, resulting in a product that satisfies all parties involved.

User: Confusion Over Search Bar Placement in CME Section

I guess I'm a little confused because like the search bar at the top just makes me think it's gonna go to the general website, but now that I'm in the CME, like, specific area like Netscape education, I feel like there should be another search bar or some other way to search and I'm not really finding that unless I'm like, yeah, so that gives us a little bit confusing.

I guess I'm a little confused because like the search bar at the top just makes me think it's gonna go to the general website, … there should be another search bar or some other way to search …, so that gives us a little bit confusing.

I guess I'm a little confused because like the search bar at the top just makes me think it's gonna go to the general website, … there should be another search bar or some other way to search …, so that gives us a little bit confusing.

User: Challenges in Finding Specific Information on Immunotherapy in Cancer

"I don’t think it worked quite the way I wanted it to, but that may be because I was searching for something very specific. I was specifically looking for immunotherapy in cancer, which made the search more challenging. Because of its specificity, it was a bit difficult to find exactly what I was looking for, and as a result, it didn’t work as I had expected or hoped."

"I don’t think it worked quite the way I wanted it to, but … it was a bit difficult to find exactly what I was looking for, and as a result, it didn’t work as I had expected or hoped."

"I don’t think it worked quite the way I wanted it to, but … it was a bit difficult to find exactly what I was looking for, and as a result, it didn’t work as I had expected or hoped."

User: Awkward Experience Adding a Second Drug

"I'm just looking at it a little bit like yeah, just try something here. Add a second drug. It's kind of a little bit awkward that Yeah, I mean, maybe there's something I don't know about it. But like for me to enter the second drug. I had to erase the first one."

User: Overwhelmed by Broad Search Results for Cancer Therapy

I think that's kind of hard because like the search term is so broad for cancer therapy, so it's gonna like pull any type of cancer but I think it does have the capability if I wanted to know more about breast cancer, or if I wanted to outpatient therapy. I think I could like find more specific results. So right now, it is just pulling up so much very different articles for that because the term I think is so broad. Right.

I think that's kind of hard because like the search term is so broad for cancer therapy, … So right now, it is just pulling up so much very different articles for that because the term I think is so broad. Right.

I think that's kind of hard because like the search term is so broad for cancer therapy, … So right now, it is just pulling up so much very different articles for that because the term I think is so broad. Right.

User: Tedious to find the desired information

"The search bar is pretty easy to find, [but] looking at some of these articles, […] I have to sift through these articles to get the information I want"

User: Missing a Clear 'Search' Button for Drug Interactions

"To me it would make a lot more sense to have it… right here where I can just literally click… interaction checker, and then type in the medicine"

"To be honest, I would go to other websites if I need to spend so much time on searching different drugs interactions"

"To me it would make a lot more sense to have it… right here where I can just literally click… interaction checker, and then type in the medicine"

Enhanced Search Visibility & Instant Filtering

Implement advanced search algorithms that prioritize highly relevant content based on user queries. Introduce real-time filtering options that allow users to refine results instantly, improving efficiency in finding specific topics like immunotherapy in cancer.

Streamlined Filtering for Search Results

Simplify search result filtering by offering clear, structured categories (e.g., treatment type, drug interactions, clinical trials). An intuitive filter panel can help users quickly narrow down to the most relevant information without unnecessary complexity.

User-Friendly Language & Signals for Drug Interaction Checker

Design an interface that uses clear, easily understandable language and visual indicators to convey drug interaction risks. Providing tooltips, color-coded alerts, and simplified explanations will make it easier for users to interpret search results effectively.

Users and PM have expressed the need for greater control over language settings across all platforms, including web, mobile. Offering customizable language preferences helps address regional and cultural differences, enhances user satisfaction, and ensures inclusivity.

DESIGN SOLUTIONS

DESIGN SOLUTIONS

DESIGN SOLUTIONS

Solution 1

Solution 1

Solution 1

Improve Search Visibility and Enable Instant Filtering

Allows users to immediately narrow down their search

Solution 2

Solution 2

Solution 2

Streamlining Filters On Search Results

Allows users to have a clear view of all filtering options

Solution 3

Solution 3

Solution 3

Designed Intuitive Language and
Signals for Drug Interaction Checker

Results

Results

Results

Achievements

20% NPS increased

After implementing the recommended changes, we conducted follow-up A/B testing with our original interviewees. The updated design led to a 20% increase in Net Promoter Score (NPS), indicating a significant improvement in user satisfaction and overall experience.

Delivered to Medscape’s teams

As a result, we delivered our findings to Medscape’s research and design teams, which aligned with their internal research.

In 2025, a new Drug Interaction Checker—reflecting these insights—was launched on both their website and mobile app.

NEXT STEP & REFLECTION

REFLECTION

NEXT STEP & REFLECTION

Reflection

Reflection

Reflection

Enhancing user experience and information accuracy for continued success

By implementing our proposed recommendations, the website can further cement its status in the medical world. These changes are not just cosmetic; they aim to improve the user experience and provide doctors with the latest and most accurate information.

As a result, we expect that Medscape will continue to thrive and attract more visitors than ever. We are confident these changes will contribute to the website's ongoing success and popularity, making it a go-to destination for medical professionals and healthcare consumers.