Empowering Dialysis Patients Through Human-Centered Digital Learning
How DLB Creative reimagined patient training for CVS Kidney Care’s HemoCare program merging compassionate design, accessibility, and community connection.
Overview
Industry: Healthcare
Services: Creative Strategy · 2D/3D Motion · UX/UI · Accessibility · Social Campaign
60% faster onboarding • 45% increase in patient confidence • 35% drop in caregiver-dependent calls.
The Challenge
Patients beginning at-home hemodialysis often feel anxious and isolated.
Training materials were dense, visually harsh, and leaned heavily on CVS red—potentially stressful for new patients.
CVS Kidney Care needed a calm, accessible learning platform that would:
Teach life-critical dialysis procedures clearly and safely.
Reduce patient anxiety and caregiver dependence.
Build a sense of connection for those dialyzing at home.
The Solution
Doug Belding led the full creative strategy and direction, orchestrating a multidisciplinary team of 2D/3D artists, UX/UI designers, motion-graphics specialists, and developers across multiple time zones.
Key actions:
Psychologist Collaboration – Doug requested licensed psychologists join the design team to ensure tone, color, and flow reduced anxiety and supported mental well-being.
Soft, Soothing Palette – Navy #0B315E, cool aqua #A7D8D1, and warm neutrals replaced aggressive reds, aligning with CVS brand guidelines while calming the interface.
Accessible, Inclusive UX – WCAG-compliant typography, voice-over narration, and keyboard navigation.
Gamified Learning Modules – Interactive 3D machine walk-throughs and step-by-step animations to reinforce critical procedures.
Community Campaign: “Decorate Your Machine” – A parallel social initiative let patients virtually decorate their dialysis machines based on mood and share images online, helping reduce isolation and foster peer support.
The Outcome
The HemoCare Patient Training platform quickly proved its value:
60 % faster onboarding — patients reached self-sufficiency in weeks instead of months.
45 % increase in patient confidence — measured through post-training surveys.
35 % fewer caregiver-dependent calls — freeing clinical staff and empowering patients.
Client Perspective
“Doug’s team brought empathy and precision to every detail.
The result is a patient-first platform that sets a new bar for home-dialysis education.”