wrroouction/ HEALTH DESIGN LAB

THE HEALTH DESIGN LAB (HDL) is a vibrant research cluster at Emily Carr. It is a virtual lab, in the

sense that no dedicated research facilities are involved. Rather, it is an intellectual “home” for design

faculty and students engaged in applied research projects in the general area of healthcare. Of course,

this is a broad area of practice that spans all the design streams; it started at least 15 years ago with a

long-term collaboration on assistive devices with the GF Strong Rehabilitation Centre.

At present, from Industrial Design we see
projects from a wood product design course
that include an elegant birthing stool for use

in a delivery room, as well as a thesis project

of an intelligent chair for a dementia unit that
recognizes the occupant and plays a cloud based
culturally appropriate play list.

Communication designers are working on the
design of a patient portal for BC Children’s
Hospital, and on an iPad-based application
with social media components that allow young
patients with chronic illnesses to manage their
diseases more effectively. Interaction designers
are interested in data visualization for the
outputs of numerical simulations of emergency
room queuing, and on the interaction tools
needed by nurses during shift change on a busy
ward. Much of the work has an architectural
element. For example a recent research
question involved the entrance foyer of Lions
Gate hospital; how could it be re-designed

to incorporate the changing needs of the
patient and family population, and how could
stakeholders be engaged in that re-design.

While the work is varied, some central themes
are clear. First, faculty and student research is
highly applied. Design solutions are sought for
problems that are important to the healthcare
sector, which can lead to improved patient
outcomes, and where practical implementation
is possible in the near term. Second, the

work is highly collaborative. Almost all the

work involves the active participation of
local clinicians and other caregivers, of local
hospitals and other care facilities, and of
local companies and other research partners.
Through this model, “design thinking” is
introduced to a system that is in need of
innovation, while students learn to develop
their design skills in real-world situations.

The work at the Health Design Lab is an
example of design-based research, and
research-based design. Researchers approach
complex problems with a broad view that
attempts to capture complexity, to understand
previous approaches, and to linearize problems
where possible. The work always involves
co-design with those intended to benefit

from the outcomes, and those intended to
implement the solutions. It takes an inclusive
view of product/process life cycle, considering
manufacturability, cost, training and
maintenance, and sustainability issues.

As with any research, process is documented
and reported to ensure others can benefit
from results.

Certainly, “design thinking” will not solve

all problems in the health care system. But
equally certainly, this approach and this vibrant
research cluster in particular, is contributing
practical solutions that have real value in
terms of patient outcomes and other important

/ ROB INKSTER

improvements.

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