Every user got the same diagnosis.
At least one Alzheimer's screening app returned a positive result regardless of what the user entered. Clinical oversight at the design stage would have caught it.
The study
A range of smartphone apps were developed and made publicly available to screen users for Alzheimer's disease, targeting a vulnerable population seeking early reassurance or diagnosis outside of a clinical setting.
The failure
Apps designed to screen for Alzheimer's disease were rated poor to very poor across the board. At least one app returned a positive diagnosis regardless of what information the user entered — meaning every user received the same alarming result, irrespective of their actual risk.
Full case study: Robillard et al., 2015 — Alzheimer's & Dementia
The critical gap
No validated diagnostic framework or clinical oversight was in place during development. Involvement of clinical and methodological expertise at the design stage could have identified these fundamental failures before vulnerable people were exposed to them.
How we can help
Our Logic Modelling Workshops and Staff, Consumer, and Community Involvement services ensure clinical expertise and the voices of affected communities are embedded in design from the outset — not added as an afterthought.