Design Thinking as a Mindset Shift for Innovation in Healthcare

Abstract

Design Thinking is a human-centred approach to problem solving and innovation that exploits design theories and methods to solve ill-defined problems. Recently it has been a popular subject of real-life applications in research and industrial endeavours for its original way to combine creative and analytical thinking, what is desirable from a human viewpoint with what is technologically feasible. This paper focuses on the application of Design Thinking in paediatric orthodontics. Through the analysis of a design case study, the paper picks up the threads of the challenges of devising a facemask for maxillary malocclusion. The case study shows how a Design Thinking mindset can make a holistic and creative approach flourishing, bringing together different competences at any stage of the design process. The methods of design allowed to translate the different languages of the stakeholders into a single narrative where the people’s journeys are clearly depicted, monitored, and supported.