Human-Centred Design of an AI/ML-Based Dashboard for Falls Prevention in Older People: A Planned Mixed-Methods Study

Introduction

Falls are a leading cause of injury and loss of independence among older people, with significant physical, psychological, and economic consequences. Digital interventions, such as the NHS-approved Keep On Keep Up (KOKU) app, offer scalable solutions for promoting strength and balance exercises. However, existing dashboards often lack usability and meaningful engagement with stakeholders, limiting their effectiveness in clinical practice.

Method

This planned study will employ a mixed-methods, multi-phase design guided by the Double Diamond framework. Phase 1 will involve focus groups and think-aloud interviews with healthcare professionals to refine the existing KOKU dashboard. Phase 2 will engage older people in co-design workshops to develop a user-facing dashboard. Qualitative data will be analysed using thematic analysis, and usability will be assessed against Nielsen’s heuristics.

Results

Expected outcomes include two dashboards:

1. A clinician-facing dashboard optimised for usability and decision support.
2. A user-facing dashboard tailored to older people’s preferences for progress tracking and engagement.

Conclusion

By integrating human-centred design principles with predictive analytics, this research aims to address critical gaps in digital health dashboard development for older people. The findings may inform best practices for designing inclusive, evidence-based digital tools to reduce falls risk and support healthy ageing.

Keywords: Falls prevention, digital health, human-centred design, older people, dashboard, machine learning.