Easy PT Easy Ngwa Nhazi Ọgwụgwọ Ahụ (Physical Therapy Triage) by Stacey Chen

Easy PT Easy Ngwa Nhazi Ọgwụgwọ Ahụ (Physical Therapy Triage) by Stacey Chen is a highly esteemed winner of the very prestigious 2026 Ihe Nrite A' Design Award nke Igwe in Nhazi Teknụzụ Mkpanaka, Ngwa na Sọftụwia Competition Category.

IgweMkpanaka· 2026

Easy PT Easy Ngwa Nhazi Ọgwụgwọ Ahụ (Physical Therapy Triage)

by Stacey Chen

Client: Stacey Chen

Ihe Nrite A' Design Award nke Igwe Winner in Mkpanaka Category

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The Design

About Easy PT Easy Ngwa Nhazi Ọgwụgwọ Ahụ (Physical Therapy Triage)

Easy PT Easy bụ ngwa ekwentị nke na-eduzi ndị ọrịa na-eme ọgwụgwọ ahụ (physical therapy) nke mbụ ha site na njem nlekọta doro anya na nke nwere ọmụma. E ji usoro mmalite dị mfe dochie akwụkwọ edemede. Ngwa nyocha onwe onye maka mgbaàmà na-enyere ndị ọrụ aka ịghọta ihe mgbu ha, na ụzọ njikọ kwụ ọtọ na-ejikọta ndị ọrụ na ndị ọkachamara na ọgwụgwọ ahụ na-enweghị ntụziaka sitere n'aka dọkịta izugbe. Ihe atụ ndị a pụrụ ịmata na interface dị mfe na-ebelata nchekasị ma na-ewuli ntụkwasị obi. E mepụtara ngwa a iji nyere ndị ọrịa aka ikere òkè dị ike na mgbake ha.

The Recognition

About the Ihe Nrite A' Design Award nke Igwe

Easy PT Easy Ngwa Nhazi Ọgwụgwọ Ahụ (Physical Therapy Triage) meriri A' Design Award nke Igwe, nnabata dị ugwu e nyere design ndị dị mma nke na-emezu ihe ndị a chọrọ n'ọrụ na ụlọ ọrụ nke a na-atụ anya n'ihe e kere eke ndị e mere nke ọma. Ndị meriri na Igwe na-egosi nka buru ibu, ọkachamara dị elu, nghọta ọkachamara na ikike imepụta nke ndị kere ha. A na-atụ anya na Easy PT Easy Ngwa Nhazi Ọgwụgwọ Ahụ (Physical Therapy Triage) ga-abụ ihe e kere eke a na-asọpụrụ nke ukwuu, a na-eto na a hụrụ n'anya nke bụ ihe bara uru ma dị ọhụrụ. Design a meriri A' Design Award nke Igwe na-ejikọta ụzọ kacha mma nke ụlọ ọrụ ma nwee àgwà teknụzụ kwesịrị ekwesị jikọtara na ihe ọmụma na talent. A na-asọpụrụ Easy PT Easy Ngwa Nhazi Ọgwụgwọ Ahụ (Physical Therapy Triage) maka nlezianya ya ma e mere ya ka ọ nye mmeziwanye ndụ nke na-enyere aka ime ka ụwa bụrụ ebe ka mma.

Behind the Design

Press Kit

Credits, team members and technical details provided by the designer.

Unique Properties: Easy PT-Easy a user-friendly app that guides first-time physical therapy patients through a clear, informed care journey. It replaces paperwork with a streamlined onboarding process, offers symptom self-assessment tools, and connects users directly with PTs, removing the need for a general doctor referral. Through relatable case examples and intuitive design, it eases anxiety, builds trust, and empowers patients to take an active role in their recovery.
Dimensions & Packaging: As a digital product, Easy PT-Easy was designed for mobile platforms with a responsive UI adaptable to various screen sizes. It was prototyped using Figma, focusing on accessibility, touch-friendly interaction, and clear visual hierarchy. The app features symptom check tools, narrative-based onboarding, and direct PT connection pathways, all optimized for user flow efficiency and emotional clarity in first-time physical therapy experiences.
Tags: App Design, UIUX, User Experience Design, User Interface Design, Design Reserach, Mobile App, Physical Therapy, PT, Virtual Triage
Production Technology: Stacey Chen employed human-centered design methods, beginning with qualitative research through interviews and journey mapping to identify user pain points. She synthesized insights into key design goals: clarity, empathy, and accessibility. Low-fidelity wireframes and user flows were iterated based on feedback, leading to a refined prototype. The final design emphasizes intuitive interaction, storytelling, and efficient onboarding tailored to first-time PT patients.
Design Challenge: The hardest part was addressing patients’ emotional uncertainty while navigating the complexity of the healthcare system. Social stigma around injury and limited access to clear information made it difficult for users to trust or engage early. Technological limitations in existing PT systems and privacy concerns also posed challenges. Overcoming these meant designing a solution that felt human, safe, and intuitive, bridging gaps in empathy, access, and communication.
Research: This project used qualitative research to understand the emotional and practical challenges of starting physical therapy. The goal was to uncover patient pain points and gaps in the process. Interviews and surveys were conducted with both patients and clinicians. Insights revealed confusion, fear, and a lack of clear guidance. These findings shaped a design that simplifies the PT journey, improves communication, and encourages early engagement, benefiting both healthcare systems and patient well-being.
Inspiration: Having gone through a serious accident, Stacey Chen experienced firsthand the confusion and anxiety surrounding physical therapy. This inspired her to investigate how design could ease that journey. Through interviews with patients and clinicians, she identified critical gaps in communication and preparedness. The resulting design blends empathetic storytelling with intuitive tools to guide users, reduce anxiety, and improve access to physical therapy.
Project Duration: The project started in January 2024 in Chicago and finished in June 2024 in Chicago.
Operation Flow: Easy PT-Easy guides users step by step, starting with a simple introduction and relatable story to ease anxiety. Users answer a few questions about their pain, and the app helps them understand what might be happening. It then connects them directly to a physical therapist. No doctor visit needed. By setting clear expectations and using friendly language, the app helps patients feel more prepared, supported, and confident about starting their recovery journey.
Image Credits: Image #1: Illustrator Stacey Chen, Easy PTeasy, 2024. Image #2: Illustrator Stacey Chen, Easy PTeasy, 2024. Image #3: Illustrator Stacey Chen, Easy PTeasy, 2024. Image #4: Illustrator Stacey Chen, Easy PTeasy, 2024. Image #5: Illustrator Stacey Chen, Easy PTeasy, 2024.