EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

Rotable, a digital health startup in Vienna, offers a unique software with the goal of “simplifying medical careers”.  The software unburdens medical administrative staff by aiming to automatically solve the cumbersome problem of rotation planning in hospitals through an intelligent algorithm. Through taking over administrative tasks, which take up a vast amount of time, medical staff has more time to focus on important tasks concerning the health of their patients.

Goal

Our goal was to assist Rotable in the development of a complementary product in addition to their main product. At the beginning, the complementary product was concentrated on finding a solution for the recruitment of residence doctors. Precisely, we had to analyze the relevant problems, respectively needs, in a healthcare recruitment process, and subsequently evaluate if Rotable had found a problem – solution fit.

To summarize, we had to find out if there is a market for the problem, so that Rotable could proceed working on their complementary product.

Methodology

Our approach to achieve the task was to follow the Design Thinking Framework, consisting of five steps: Empathize, Define, Ideate, Prototype and Test. Firstly, qualitative interviews were conducted with our target group, comprised of 18 medical students and 12 doctors. In addition to the primary research, secondary literature was also used to validate our interview data. Consequently, three personas were developed in the Define phase. Through these we then derived our key insights, the most important insights from our research. Following, the Lotus Blossom creativity technique was implemented in order to generate concrete ideas for features of a possible solution. These ideas were narrowed down through their assessment, based on their technical feasibility, profitability and customer-value. Based on our top ten ideas, the prototype was made in three iteration loops. The first loop was very rudimental, consisting of only pen and paper sketches. After sufficient discussion, the second loop was kicked off, where the sketches were transferred to a Powerpoint prototype. To round off the second loop, feedback was obtained, and the interactive and final prototype was brought to life. The final prototype was built in Framer, an online tool, that allows its users to build prototypes for web applications and interact with them. Finally, the Framer prototype was shown to the end-users in order to receive feedback, which was then implemented again.

Results

The main findings support Rotable’s hypotheses, that recruiting in healthcare is a pain and there is a great need for more transparency regarding slot vacancies. Due to a lack of transparency, people looking for a job are limited to three search options: word of mouth, google and relevant contacts within hospitals. The fact is, a great number of positions are filled through personal contacts8  , leading to a problem of unfairness. On the other side, hospitals are burdened with posting job ads, which is a time-costly problem for both sides. To tailor to the needs of more transparency, fairness, hastiness and simplicity regarding recruiting, we came up with a platform with unique features. These features encompass, automation of job advertisements, insight into decision making and a learning algorithm that matches the applicants’ needs with the job vacancy. To make this algorithm possible, applicants fill out a survey regarding their needs and skills and upload their CV. Then positions matching this data are shown to the applicant, who can then apply and track his/her application process. When applicants apply for positions, the hospitals receive the anonymous applications, guaranteeing more equality.

In conclusion, we would encourage Rotable to proceed with this complementary project. Moreover, our prototype shows that expanding this recruitment software to other healthcare fields would be valuable to the customer and beneficial to Rotable as well. 

Cooperation Partner

• Rotable technologies GmbH
  Praterstraße 1/38
  1020 Wien
  Austria
  office@rotable.at

Contact Person

• Yannick Dues
  yannick@rotable.at

Student Team

• Johannes Anreiter

• Dominik Bieringer

• Constantin Dallmann

• Kristiyan Delchev

• Donatella Rubelj

• Ines Sandler

Project Manager

• Benjamin Monsorno

• Linn Kretzschmar