Written by Guru Nadiger, Chief Product Officer of Latitude Health
Designing for the Frontlines: How Latitude Puts Users at the Center of Innovation
At Latitude Health, user-centric design isn’t a buzzword—it’s the foundation of everything we build.
To truly transform utilization management (UM), we start with the people who live it every day: UM nurses, intake teams, medical directors, and care coordinators. These are the professionals navigating complex cases, tight deadlines, and outdated systems. They don’t need more complexity—they need clarity, speed, and tools that just work.
Every feature, workflow, and insight in the Latitude platform is grounded in real-world user research and today’s most relevant design practices. Here’s how we make that happen:
Co-Design and Participatory Research: Designed With, Not Just For
One of the first things we did at Latitude was leave the office and get into the trenches. We’ve spent countless hours shadowing UM nurses at their desks—watching how they review cases, navigate legacy systems, respond to denials, and meet daily throughput quotas.
These sessions are invaluable. We don’t just hear about pain points—we see them firsthand. The workarounds, the hacks, the frustration—insights that never surface in surveys.
Since then, we’ve continued working side-by-side with UM staff, even bringing UM professionals directly into our design and development process. Not as post-hoc validators, but as core contributors—shaping everything from automation logic to data visualizations.
Behavioral Science, Embedded in UX
Understanding user behavior isn’t enough—we aim to support and guide it. Drawing from behavioral science, we design interfaces that reduce decision fatigue, nudge toward faster resolutions, and encourage confidence in clinical judgment.
This is human-centered design—built to match how people actually think and feel, especially under pressure.
AI-Enhanced Research
We use AI to accelerate and deepen our understanding of user behavior. By analyzing workflows and unstructured feedback at scale, we uncover trends and pain points that might otherwise be missed.
But our philosophy is clear: AI should lighten the burden—not add to it. It should empower, not replace. This AI-enhanced approach helps us learn faster, build smarter, and keep empathy at the center.
See how Latitude Health is using AI to transform UM
Continuous Discovery and Agile UX
User needs evolve—and so do we. Our product design process runs in agile sprints with rapid iteration and constant feedback loops. Clinical SMEs, designers, engineers, and product leads work together to test ideas, adapt quickly, and ship solutions that reflect real-world challenges.
Flexibility is baked in—so what works today can evolve seamlessly into what’s needed tomorrow.
Emotion-Centered, Experience-Led Design
UM work is emotionally taxing. We hear it in interviews. We see it in nurses venting about prior auth queues. That’s why we design not just for efficiency—but for experience.
We think about what it feels like to do this job, especially on a hard day. We reduce cognitive load, create calming visuals, and offer moments of clarity and confidence. Because our goal isn’t just to streamline clicks—it’s to support the people doing tough, essential work.
Our Philosophy: Built With the People Who Use Our Technology
Since our earliest days, we’ve collaborated with over 50 UM professionals in shaping the Latitude platform—not in feedback sessions after the fact, but in the product room from day one.
Our goal isn’t just usability. It’s utility. We aim to build tools so intuitive and aligned with real-world workflows that users say, “Finally—this makes sense.”
Because when you put users at the center of research and design, you don’t just build better software—you build trust.
Whether it’s a Reddit rant, a zoom conversation with a nurse, a TikTok deep dive into #UMNurse or a workflow quirk spotted in a shadow session —we pay attention and listen. We co-create. We iterate. And we keep users at the heart of every decision.
Because when you combine co-design, behavioral science, AI-driven insights, and emotion-centered design—you don’t just build usable software. You build something that understands people. That earns trust. That belongs on the frontlines.
That’s what we strive for at Latitude Health—every single day.
About Latitude Health
Latitude Health is transforming Utilization Management (UM) with AI-native technology that drives better outcomes for organizations. Our platform empowers UM teams to work smarter and faster - reducing costs, increasing review volume, and improving decision quality. By equipping teams with tools and insights, Latitude supercharges your greatest asset—your people—while delivering impact across all UM operations.
Want to see Latitude Health in action? Reach out to our team here for a Demo!
