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In a recent issue of The Journal of Ambulatory Care the challenges of collaboration and patient centered healthcare is noted and examined. A recent collaborative partnership between MGH and RISD's industrial Design Department explored such ambulatory care systems.
The focus of the work was the broad category of ambulatory care. Ambulatory care is defined as any care given on an outpatient basis. Projects ranged from hospital, homecare, and healthcare education in the community.
A SAMPLING OF PROJECT SUMMARIES
Hospital Wayfinding: Navigation Systems
Two projects from RISD students Hsueh, Lee, and Cheng incorporated sensory design into existing hospital navigation systems to reinforce and integrate elements of wayfinding as a whole cohesive system in the healthcare environment. The first project focused on how subtle changes to the physical environment can reduce anxiety, increase efficiency, and utilize space to establish identity. The second project looked at technology systems using RFID tags and wireless Internet cards to help non-English speaking patients map through hospitals with increased efficiency.
Space as a Clinical Tool
This project by Cheng examined and rearranged the space in the doctor’s office to foster insight and communication between internists. This system suggested consolidation of the front end of the diagnostic and treatment process to increase efficiency. A similar notion is currently operated by Health Dialogue through call centers staffed with nurse practioners to direct patients to appropriate specialists to reduce superfluous appointments. This venture backed and rapidly growing company, was founded in New England by Harvard Business School graduates in 1997. Clearly exploration of this notion of increased efficiency and care is of interest to the financial community as well as the healthcare system.
Diabetes Care
This project by Song, explored increasing compliance in self-management of diabetes patients through a user-centric study of the existing system. Song suggests an all in one hand held mobile system containing all required supplies. It is estimated that nearly 21 million people in the US suffer from diabetes. Of that, almost seventy-five percent are type 2, adult onset diabetes where care compliance is major factor as the related costs strain our current healthcare system.
Whiteboard As a Therapeutic Tool
This project by Elemen compares the boredom and isolation of patients in the bedside care unit to prisoners. Elemen suggests use of whiteboards of visual communication and expression could reduce anxiety and alleviate boredom.
Well-being in High School
This project by Kahn addressed self-esteem as a motivating factor for effective public health campaigns directed at high school students. Kahn focused on teen pregnancy and suggested target age and culturally appropriate communication systems to disseminate information to this largely underserved population. Comments from the medical community present included the possibility of adopting such a system for anti-smoking.
Integrating Practice and Community Online
This project examining the trends in popularity of online communities such as myspace.com in which information and support and wisdom could be shared openly between patients.
Geriatric Mobile Care: Get on the Bus
This project by Sussman and McDonough used a model of mobile preventative care to address the often forgotten demographic of the homebound geriatric community. With an increasing geriatric community, with the seventy-six million aging baby boomers who have an interest in independent living, a new system is needed. This group suggested a mobile lab reaching out to this community supplying medical and social needs.
Kiosk to the Underprivileged
This project by Snyder and Livan addressed making healthcare information more available to the individuals from underprivileged communities who are largely victims of the digital divide. They suggest kiosks in the community analogous to ATM machines in form factor where the mental model is understood and utilized. They also explored new more sculptural systems designed to integrate into various community environments. The team explored the community of Chelsea, MA and geared their solutions to the subculture of this tight knit community.
A SAMPLING OF PROJECT SUMMARIES
Hospital Wayfinding: Navigation Systems
Two projects from RISD students Hsueh, Lee, and Cheng incorporated sensory design into existing hospital navigation systems to reinforce and integrate elements of wayfinding as a whole cohesive system in the healthcare environment. The first project focused on how subtle changes to the physical environment can reduce anxiety, increase efficiency, and utilize space to establish identity. The second project looked at technology systems using RFID tags and wireless Internet cards to help non-English speaking patients map through hospitals with increased efficiency.
Space as a Clinical Tool
This project by Cheng examined and rearranged the space in the doctor’s office to foster insight and communication between internists. This system suggested consolidation of the front end of the diagnostic and treatment process to increase efficiency. A similar notion is currently operated by Health Dialogue through call centers staffed with nurse practioners to direct patients to appropriate specialists to reduce superfluous appointments. This venture backed and rapidly growing company, was founded in New England by Harvard Business School graduates in 1997. Clearly exploration of this notion of increased efficiency and care is of interest to the financial community as well as the healthcare system.
Diabetes Care
This project by Song, explored increasing compliance in self-management of diabetes patients through a user-centric study of the existing system. Song suggests an all in one hand held mobile system containing all required supplies. It is estimated that nearly 21 million people in the US suffer from diabetes. Of that, almost seventy-five percent are type 2, adult onset diabetes where care compliance is major factor as the related costs strain our current healthcare system.
Whiteboard As a Therapeutic Tool
This project by Elemen compares the boredom and isolation of patients in the bedside care unit to prisoners. Elemen suggests use of whiteboards of visual communication and expression could reduce anxiety and alleviate boredom.
Well-being in High School
This project by Kahn addressed self-esteem as a motivating factor for effective public health campaigns directed at high school students. Kahn focused on teen pregnancy and suggested target age and culturally appropriate communication systems to disseminate information to this largely underserved population. Comments from the medical community present included the possibility of adopting such a system for anti-smoking.
Integrating Practice and Community Online
This project examining the trends in popularity of online communities such as myspace.com in which information and support and wisdom could be shared openly between patients.
Geriatric Mobile Care: Get on the Bus
This project by Sussman and McDonough used a model of mobile preventative care to address the often forgotten demographic of the homebound geriatric community. With an increasing geriatric community, with the seventy-six million aging baby boomers who have an interest in independent living, a new system is needed. This group suggested a mobile lab reaching out to this community supplying medical and social needs.
Kiosk to the Underprivileged
This project by Snyder and Livan addressed making healthcare information more available to the individuals from underprivileged communities who are largely victims of the digital divide. They suggest kiosks in the community analogous to ATM machines in form factor where the mental model is understood and utilized. They also explored new more sculptural systems designed to integrate into various community environments. The team explored the community of Chelsea, MA and geared their solutions to the subculture of this tight knit community.
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