Designing Predictive Support for People Living with Rheumatoid Arthritis

As the Human-Centered Design and UX Lead, I partnered with a global pharmaceutical company to reimagine how they could meaningfully support people living with rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Our goal was to go beyond treatment adherence and address the emotional and psychological strain of the condition.

Our research uncovered that the greatest burden for patients wasn’t just physical pain—it was the unpredictability of flare-ups. Sudden flares disrupted independence, relationships, and confidence, creating persistent anxiety. We saw an opportunity: reduce uncertainty to improve quality of life.

I led a multidisciplinary team through a design thinking process, collaborating directly with patients in co-design sessions. Together, we developed an AI-driven chatbot that tracks symptoms, weather, and lifestyle patterns to explore flare prediction. The chatbot also provides personalized guidance and support during flares, creating a more responsive and empathetic experience.

A key part of the work involved aligning complex, global stakeholders across clinical, regulatory, and product teams. I crafted a clear long-term vision and business case, gaining C-suite buy-in and securing investment for continued development. Working closely with global product teams, we built a scalable design system to support launches across multiple countries.

The final concept resonated deeply with patients, restoring a sense of confidence and control. It positioned the pharmaceutical company to deliver not only better clinical outcomes but a differentiated, holistic patient experience competitors lacked.