Empty states are frequently overlooked in healthcare product design. While only a small number of users encounter them, well-designed empty states in medical applications can significantly improve clinical decision-making, reduce errors, and enhance patient safety.
This guide covers what empty states are in healthcare contexts, their essential components, when they appear, and effective design patterns for clinical environments.
What is an Empty State?
An empty state is a screen or interface section that appears when there’s no data or content to display. In healthcare applications, these moments carry extra significance because missing or unclear information can directly impact patient care decisions.
Components of Effective Healthcare Empty States
A well-designed healthcare empty state includes:
Visual Element
An icon or illustration that immediately conveys status – a stethoscope for clinical data, a clock for processing time, or a shield for restricted access.
Clear Header
A concise message that describes the current state using clinical terminology (e.g., “No active orders” rather than “No data”).
Explanatory Content
A brief description that,
- Explains why no data is showing
- Provides clinical context about what normally appears here
- Guides users on the appropriate next steps
Action Element
A clear pathway forward, such as “Order Lab Work” or “Contact Pharmacy” when user action is needed.
When Empty States Appear in Healthcare
Healthcare empty states commonly occur in these scenarios:
Initial Setup: When patients first register for portals or clinicians access new patient records. Example: A patient’s first login to a hospital portal with no previous visit history.
Completed Workflows: When clinical tasks are finished or resolved. Example: All medication reconciliation items have been addressed.
Search Queries: When searches for medications, procedures, or patient data return no matches. Example: Looking for a specific drug that’s not in the hospital formulary.
Access Controls: When clinical information requires special permissions to view. Example: Mental health records restricted to authorized personnel.
Processing States: When clinical data exists but isn’t yet available. Example: Lab results that are currently being analyzed.
Healthcare Empty State Design Patterns
New Patient States
Purpose: Help users understand that empty sections are expected for new patients.
Design approach: Provide welcoming messaging that explains what will appear as the patient receives care.
New patients often feel unsure about what they should see on a portal. This message reassures them that the emptiness is temporary and expected. It also encourages them to take the first step, completing their health profile, so the system begins capturing useful, personalized data right away.
Workflow Completion States
Purpose: Acknowledge finished clinical tasks and provide satisfaction.
Design approach: Celebrate completion while confirming safety protocols are met.
Empty doesn’t always mean something is missing; it can also signify success. In this case, a clean interface confirms that all actions are complete and the patient is safe. Clinicians working under pressure benefit from clear signals that no urgent follow-ups are needed, helping to reduce cognitive load and error risk.
Search Result States
Purpose: Guide clinicians when searches return no matches while preventing frustration.
Design approach: Explain why no results appeared and suggest alternative approaches.
In clinical settings, failed searches can delay care or lead to workarounds. This empty state not only confirms why no results were found but also offers productive actions to help clinicians quickly pivot, minimizing disruption and ensuring continuity of care.
Access Restriction States
Purpose: Clearly explain permission requirements while providing escalation paths.
Design approach: Respect privacy controls while enabling legitimate clinical access when needed.
In healthcare, restricted data (e.g., mental health, reproductive care) must be carefully protected. However, in urgent situations, clinicians may need access to this data. This empty state maintains compliance but ensures clinicians know exactly how to proceed without hitting a dead end.
Processing Status States
Purpose: Manage expectations during data processing while providing useful context.
Design approach: Give specific timeframes and alternative options when appropriate.
Time-sensitive decisions often depend on pending data. This empty state builds trust by showing users that the system is functioning correctly and clarifies when they can expect results. Offering access to previous results keeps clinicians informed and allows for provisional planning while waiting.
Healthcare-Specific Considerations
Clinical Accuracy: Ensure empty state messages use proper medical terminology and don’t create confusion about patient status.
Time Sensitivity: Healthcare decisions often depend on timing. Always provide realistic timeframes when data will be available.
Safety Protocols: Consider whether empty states should trigger additional verification steps or alerts.
Privacy Compliance: Avoid revealing sensitive patient information through overly detailed empty state messages.
User Context: Different healthcare roles (doctors, nurses, patients) need different levels of detail and technical language.
Implementation Guidelines
Audit Existing States: Document every screen that can legitimately show no data across your healthcare application.
Prioritise by Impact: Focus first on empty states that could affect patient safety or create significant clinical workflow delays.
Test in Context: Validate designs with real healthcare users in realistic clinical scenarios, accounting for time pressure and interruptions.
Maintain Consistency: Develop patterns that work across different sections of your healthcare application while respecting role-based differences.
Healthcare empty states represent critical moments in clinical workflows. When designed thoughtfully, they reduce uncertainty, prevent errors, and support better patient care decisions.
Remember: every empty state should clearly communicate what’s missing, why it’s missing, and what users should do next. In healthcare, this clarity can be the difference between confusion and confident clinical action.
Koru UX specializes in healthcare technology design that supports clinical workflows and patient safety. Contact us to discuss how we can help improve your healthcare product’s user experience.
