A Biodesign Approach to Designing, Packaging, and Scaling a Pediatric Weight Management Program: The Stanford CORD 3.0 Project

Abstract

Different frameworks and models exist for translating and disseminating public health policies, programs, and services. This article describes an approach, grounded in the Integrate, DEsign, Assess, and Share (IDEAS) framework for digital health innovation and the Stanford Byers Center biodesign innovation process, to design a way to make effective behavioral weight control more scalable and cost-effective for low-income children with overweight and obesity, to reduce obesity and associated morbidities. The process considered the relevant stakeholders, the current market landscape, and the potential market. Solutions were designed to address provider training and resources, to have a strong foundation in behavior change methods, be sufficiently intense to produce change, involve both children and caregivers and be delivered in groups, to be less costly to deliver than current family-based behavioral programs, and to have a viable revenue model. An iterative process resulted in a potential solution that combines both technology and human affordances and addresses high fidelity delivery, needs of providers and patients, training and support, likely customers, potential revenue models, intellectual property, and regulatory issues.