Stacey Chen · CLIENT: Stacey Chen
Easy PT Easy is a mobile application that guides first-time physical therapy patients through a clear and informed care journey. Paperwork is replaced by a streamlined onboarding process. Symptom self-assessment tools help users understand their pain, and direct connection pathways link users with physical therapists without a general doctor referral. Relatable case examples and a simple interface ease anxiety and build trust. The application was created to help patients take an active role in their recovery.
Press Kit
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
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