Patient-Centric Design in the Development of Healthcare Solutions

Patient-centric co-design is the process of identifying an unmet need or set of pain points and developing a solution involving patients throughout the process as decision makers.

Companies can leverage patient-centric design in the development process for a healthcare solution to ensure that the solution truly responds to patient needs. Patient-centric co-design employs a validated, measurable methodologies, based on behavioral science and ethnography. The goal is to create healthcare that answers patient needs rather than assuming them.

With patient-centric co-design, patients are around the table with the designers, engineers, and payers so patients can discuss their needs, motivations, desires, and fears. Their input becomes part of the design brief.

Difference between co-designing with patients and a traditional user experience (UX) approach

Patient-centric co-design is broader than UX; the experience of the user with the product is just one aspect of the co-design process which adds other elements including behavioural design and human factors. We look at how patients will use the solution and how it will become a part of their lives – both physically and mentally. This provides a more holistic view of how the solution will satisfy patient needs. With patient-centric co-design, we consider the patient as the ultimate user, but we also consider everything and everyone around the patient.

To learn how to get started in developing healthcare solutions following a patient-centric design approach read the interview “How to Co-Design a Solution with Patients to Meet Their Needs”with Alira Health experts on Patient Engagement and co-design, Giulia Pierini, Principal, Patient Engagement and Eduardo Pérez, Senior Consultant and Patient-centric Co-design