Health Design: Mapping current situations, envisioning next steps

Abstract

Healthcare systems are under high pressure, from chronic disease, and aging populations with their consequent array of issues. Healthcare professionals are asked to deliver better care with fewer resources, increasing efficiency and efficacy. Simultaneously, patients expect more personalized therapies and physicians are discovering the benefits of making patients more active in their own care. This paper outlines the challenge to arrive at healthcare decisions that are based not only on data but also on the patient’s values and preferences. However, helping healthcare to face this challenge requires designers to develop new skills and competences. The paper proposes some general competences that designers need to develop to provide design solutions to satisfy users and healthcare systems’ needs.