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Can product design influence the outcome of person-centred care? Passed

Thursday May 16, 2024 10:15 - 10:30 G1

Moderator: Emma Forsgren
Presenter: Pamela Lindgren

Track: Art, Media, and Performance

Assistive Technology (AT) is not only used by people with impairments or disability needs (’primary’ users) but also by people assisting them such as home care and hospital personnel (‘professional´ users) and informal carers like relatives. However, there are few studies comparing different AT user needs for aids they commonly use. This synopsis presents findings from two qualitative user studies included in a design project aiming to map user needs for an individual AT transfer aid. Four AT user categories were interviewed: primary users, relatives of elderly, hospital and home service personnel. The project was used as a case study within a Research through Design (RtD1) approach for analyzing and comparing different user categories’ needs, product experience and preconditions for AT acceptance. Findings show that users in different categories describe similar needs for functionality, usability, accessibility, and safety. However, the implications linked to these needs differed between users in the same user category as well as between user categories. In addition, the AT product design was understood to convey different meanings depending on the user’s role, situation, and user environment. ’Professional’ users perceived the design as rational and suited to optimizing and streamlining work tasks, thus communicating efficiency. ‘Primary’ users perceived the same design not only as conveying functional aspects but also aesthetics. They saw it as a carrier of users’ individual characteristics, and as communicating and exposing vulnerability. The interpretation ascribed to AT influenced the needs described and expectations of how needs could be met to make acceptance possible. From a person-centred care perspective, the findings imply that AT product experience can influence how care is experienced by users in different situations and environments. It is important to know this when striving to strengthen the efficacy of healthcare through person-centred care. 

Language

English

Seminar type

Pre-recorded + On-site

Lecture type

Art

Conference

GCPCC

Authors

PAMELA LINDGREN

Lecturers

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Emma Forsgren Moderator

Researcher
University of Gothenburg

Emma has as Master of Science in Speech and Language Pathology and is a Doctor of Philosophy in Medical Science.

Currently employed as a Researcher and Project lead for education and utilisation of research within Gothenburg Centre for Person-Centred Care (GPCC), at the Institute of Health and Care Sciences, Sahlgrenska academy, University of Gothenburg.

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Pamela Lindgren Presenter

Designer and PhD candidate at Design & Human Factors, Chalmers University of Technology. Patient representative at GPCC
Pamela Lindgren Design Studio

Pamela Lindgren is engaged in science research, industrial design, product-, and graphic design as well as art. She is also active as a patient representative and patient researcher at the Centre for Person-centred Care -GPCC at the University of Gothenburg. Pamela has a Master of Fine Art Degree, from the School of Design and Crafts at the University of Gothenburg and is a PhD candidate at the division of Design & Human Factors, Department of Industrial and Materials Science, Chalmers University of Technology. Pamela Lindgren´s research aims to increased knowledge of user experience of products as well as user acceptance and adoption on the basis of aesthetic and emotional values, as well as functional needs and requirements. The research is also focused on different user groups, opportunities for participation and influence, and what consequences this will have on the final design solution. Pamela seeks to create an interplay between technology, construction and the human body. Universal Design, Design for All and Inclusive Design along with Evidence based and User-centered design with the end user in focus are important pillars symbolizing her method of working, with accessibility, participation, cultural diversity, social design and sustainable development.