Principle cards
Stances and values to guide and focus your design or research work.
Embrace system-level thinking
Healthcare is a very complicated system, and any design within it impacts various stakeholders and the system as a whole. Early in my interviews with researchers and innovators, I learned that one key commonality among them is understanding how this system works to position their product or service correctly and evaluate their impact and success.
Recognize power dynamics
From the very beginning of talking with patients and providers, I realized that the tone and interaction style needed for interviews and activities differ significantly between the two groups. Reading about other researchers' experiences online, I understood that this challenge is especially pronounced when inviting patients and providers to work together.
Prioritize comfort and safety
When talking specifically with patients, I realized that discussing experiences that have significantly impacted their lives can be very challenging. These sensitive topics often involve ongoing hurt and dissatisfaction, making it difficult for patients to open up about them.
Unleash the inner creative
I've noticed that when asking patients directly for their ideas, many believe they are not very creative or innovative. However, in my research, even within survey formats, patients often came up with numerous ideas without being explicitly prompted. Using different tools and formats can help reveal their creative side. The same holds true for providers. They have many solutions in mind and, compared to patients, are more aware of these solutions. By asking the right questions, providers share actionable solutions, likely due to the nature of their practice and focus on practical implementation.
