Collective dreaming in healthcare: From information to inspiration 

Collective dreaming in healthcare: From information to inspiration 

Centuries ago, before the beginning of modern science, healthcare relied heavily on home remedies and often unsafe practices, leading to low life expectancy and numerous health concerns. The lack of scientific understanding meant that many treatments were ineffective. However, the rapid advancement in drug development and clinical training over the last century has made it possible for us to live longer, healthier lives. 

Despite these advancements, a gap has emerged between the people and healthcare professionals. As science developed and healthcare practices improved, the field became more specialized and, in some ways, less accessible to the general public. Healthcare moved out of the home and into institutions, creating a disconnect.

Evidence-based research has significantly improved patient outcomes over the years. However, it does not address all questions, and many needs remain unmet. While treatments and life expectancy have improved, several issues within the healthcare system persist or have worsened. Challenges such as access to healthcare, navigating insurance, timely care, patient information privacy, health literacy, confusion regarding medical decisions, misuse of health data, and transparent medical costs remain unresolved. Addressing these problems requires prioritization and effective solutions.

Dr. Sanders' (2017) paper on “Design Research at the Crossroads of Education and Practice” is highly relevant to the healthcare space. She compares information-driven and inspiration-driven research. Most current healthcare research is information-driven, following the scientific method to build on past studies and focusing on understanding the world as it is today. This type of research is conducted by researchers, often in collaboration with healthcare providers, and is reviewed by peers trained in the same methodologies. While valuable, this approach can exclude certain voices, ideas, and dreams, limiting the exploration of other possibilities.

In contrast, inspiration-driven research is often conducted by designers and built through experimentation, ambiguity, and surprise. This type of research draws from the future and the unknown, using imagination as a foundation. It addresses unmet needs, fosters dialogue, and includes voices that have not been heard.

My research operates in the inspiration-driven where traditional healthcare research and projects rarely venture. It seeks to explore the potential and inclusivity of this approach. Based on my research practice during this past year, patients and caregivers have been particularly receptive to this approach, appreciating its value and creativity in addressing their needs.

Centuries ago, before the beginning of modern science, healthcare relied heavily on home remedies and often unsafe practices, leading to low life expectancy and numerous health concerns. The lack of scientific understanding meant that many treatments were ineffective. However, the rapid advancement in drug development and clinical training over the last century has made it possible for us to live longer, healthier lives. 

Despite these advancements, a gap has emerged between the people and healthcare professionals. As science developed and healthcare practices improved, the field became more specialized and, in some ways, less accessible to the general public. Healthcare moved out of the home and into institutions, creating a disconnect.

Evidence-based research has significantly improved patient outcomes over the years. However, it does not address all questions, and many needs remain unmet. While treatments and life expectancy have improved, several issues within the healthcare system persist or have worsened. Challenges such as access to healthcare, navigating insurance, timely care, patient information privacy, health literacy, confusion regarding medical decisions, misuse of health data, and transparent medical costs remain unresolved. Addressing these problems requires prioritization and effective solutions.

Dr. Sanders' (2017) paper on “Design Research at the Crossroads of Education and Practice” is highly relevant to the healthcare space. She compares information-driven and inspiration-driven research. Most current healthcare research is information-driven, following the scientific method to build on past studies and focusing on understanding the world as it is today. This type of research is conducted by researchers, often in collaboration with healthcare providers, and is reviewed by peers trained in the same methodologies. While valuable, this approach can exclude certain voices, ideas, and dreams, limiting the exploration of other possibilities.

In contrast, inspiration-driven research is often conducted by designers and built through experimentation, ambiguity, and surprise. This type of research draws from the future and the unknown, using imagination as a foundation. It addresses unmet needs, fosters dialogue, and includes voices that have not been heard.

My research operates in the inspiration-driven where traditional healthcare research and projects rarely venture. It seeks to explore the potential and inclusivity of this approach. Based on my research practice during this past year, patients and caregivers have been particularly receptive to this approach, appreciating its value and creativity in addressing their needs.

Space of my research
Space of my research

Of course, this does not mean that evidence-based research should be replaced by exploratory research. Instead, we need a blend of both. By starting with exploratory design research, we can introduce new possibilities and ideas into healthcare system delivery. Evidence-based methodologies can then test and validate these innovations, ensuring their effectiveness, before implementation. 

This integrated approach aims not only to improve the system for near-present use but also to expand the horizons of what healthcare can achieve.

Of course, this does not mean that evidence-based research should be replaced by exploratory research. Instead, we need a blend of both. By starting with exploratory design research, we can introduce new possibilities and ideas into healthcare system delivery. Evidence-based methodologies can then test and validate these innovations, ensuring their effectiveness, before implementation. 

This integrated approach aims not only to improve the system for near-present use but also to expand the horizons of what healthcare can achieve.

Sanders and Stappers (2014) discuss various design approaches that have developed, particularly over the past ten years. They map out an ever-expanding field with three distinct vectors that different approaches can fall under.

 

First, Improving, which focuses on addressing the current situation to enhance existing experiences. Most efforts in healthcare settings fall into this category.

 

Second, Engaging, which involves actively involving patients, caregivers, and other stakeholders in the process of care and decision-making. This includes approaches such as participatory design, co-creation, and user-centered design, where the experiences, needs, and preferences of users are central to developing healthcare solutions.

 

Lastly, Provoking, where design is used to stimulate reflection, encouraging people to think about how things are now and how they could be in the future.

 

The gray slices on the map below (see Figure5) show different technologies and spaces where design research takes place and is expanding into a blue domain called Collective Dreaming. According to Dr. Sanders (2023):

“Collective Dreaming is a place where people can tell future stories collaboratively, visualize future environments collectively, and enact future scenarios together. It’s a place where we will find new ways to shape the future so that the consequences of our decisions and actions can be explored in advance.”

Sanders and Stappers (2014) discuss various design approaches that have developed, particularly over the past ten years. They map out an ever-expanding field with three distinct vectors that different approaches can fall under.

 

First, Improving, which focuses on addressing the current situation to enhance existing experiences. Most efforts in healthcare settings fall into this category.

 

Second, Engaging, which involves actively involving patients, caregivers, and other stakeholders in the process of care and decision-making. This includes approaches such as participatory design, co-creation, and user-centered design, where the experiences, needs, and preferences of users are central to developing healthcare solutions.

 

Lastly, Provoking, where design is used to stimulate reflection, encouraging people to think about how things are now and how they could be in the future.

 

The gray slices on the map below (see Figure5) show different technologies and spaces where design research takes place and is expanding into a blue domain called Collective Dreaming. According to Dr. Sanders (2023):

“Collective Dreaming is a place where people can tell future stories collaboratively, visualize future environments collectively, and enact future scenarios together. It’s a place where we will find new ways to shape the future so that the consequences of our decisions and actions can be explored in advance.”

Landscape of design research and practice by Sanders and Stappers (2014)
Landscape of design research and practice by Sanders and Stappers (2014)

This research aims to explore the space of exploratory design research and examine what collective dreaming could look like in healthcare. It seeks to identify the key players and collaborators who will collectively dream together. The big question is whether healthcare is ready to explore this new space and if it values the expertise of all the relevant stakeholders. Are we ready for this shift?

This research aims to explore the space of exploratory design research and examine what collective dreaming could look like in healthcare. It seeks to identify the key players and collaborators who will collectively dream together. The big question is whether healthcare is ready to explore this new space and if it values the expertise of all the relevant stakeholders. Are we ready for this shift?