Why user-centred design is essential in AI-driven health solutions
Manasa R
November 2024
Healthcare is changing fast, promising more personalised care, accessibility, and precision. Real innovation in healthcare happens when patients are involved in creating the solutions meant for them.
So, how might we ensure healthcare innovations resonate deeply with those who use them?
One, key approach is a user-centred design approach—co-creating solutions directly with patients. This collaborative method builds trust, drives adoption, and ultimately leads to more effective, sustainable healthcare solutions.
The Power of Co-Creation: A Path to Effective Digital Health Solutions
Co-creation is more than a design philosophy; it’s a hands-on, collaborative process where patients, healthcare professionals, and tech developers come together to shape healthcare tools.
At nuom, we know that involving patients from the start isn’t just smart design; it’s the path to building health solutions that genuinely resonate and empower. When patients see their input reflected in healthcare products, they gain a sense of trust and ownership, making the transition to digital health solutions smoother and more impactful.
- Building Trust through Inclusivity
When patients feel heard and see their input reflected in healthcare products, it builds trust—essential for engaging people with new tools, particularly those that are AI-powered or data-driven. For instance, involving patients directly in the design of digital health companions, diagnostic aids, or mental health apps ensures transparency around data privacy, an essential element in building trust. - Increasing Adoption through User-Designed Experiences
Digital health tools often face challenges in adoption due to unfamiliar interfaces or perceived complexity. Co-creation addresses these issues by tailoring solutions to be user-friendly and relevant from the outset. This is exactly what we did when we worked on the NHS hepatitis C self-testing platform, designing with direct feedback from at risk groups. This helped us to simplify the user experience and improving take-up.
When patients see their input reflected in healthcare products, they gain a sense of trust and ownership, making the transition to digital health solutions smoother and more impactful.
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Scott Parker
Head of Design, nuom
Real-World Success: Case Studies in Co-Creation
- Paired Devices for Elderly Care
CarePredict, a wearable developed with elderly users, tracks behavioural patterns to alert caregivers of potential health risks. Through co-creation, the device was designed to be accessible and non-intrusive, providing peace of mind and encouraging widespread adoption among elderly users. - Better Health Outcomes through Tailored Solutions
When healthcare tools are co-created with patients, they’re naturally more helpful, more relevant, and ultimately lead to better health outcomes. This is just what we see in Pausetrack for example. A menopause tracking app by nuom, empowers women to take charge of their health by offering insights that help them understand and manage their symptoms. This app shows how personalised, patient-informed digital health tools foster autonomy and improve well-being. - Clinitouch for Remote Monitoring
In the UK, Clinitouch’s remote monitoring solution for chronic patients was developed through patient workshops and continuous feedback. By addressing specific concerns from people with COPD and heart disease, the tool enables real-time health monitoring, empowering patients and reducing hospital visits. - Digital Therapeutics in Cardiovascular Care
Digital therapeutics, designed with patient input, support lifestyle and medication adherence, significantly lowering the risk of adverse cardiovascular events. This co-created approach confirms that digital health tools are most effective when they’re both evidence-based and patient-centred.
Tips for Adopting Co-Creation in Healthcare Innovation
- Use Empathy in Design: Go beyond technical features to address the emotional needs of patients. When health tools resonate emotionally, they’re more likely to be adopted and recommended.
- Engage Patients Early: Involve patients from the beginning through workshops, focus groups, or interviews. Early insights improve usability and minimise redesigns.
- Iterate with Real-World Feedback: Keep a feedback loop open to refine features and interfaces based on actual user experience.
- Focus on Transparency and Data Privacy: Be clear about how patient data is used. Transparency around data builds trust and encourages adoption, particularly for AI-integrated tools.
- Prioritise Accessibility: Design with simplicity in mind to support users of all tech backgrounds, including those with disabilities.
User-centred design and co-creation are reshaping healthcare innovation, making it more human-centred and impactful. By including patients in the design process, healthcare organisations can create digital health solutions that are intuitive, trustworthy, and genuinely empowering. Co-creation isn’t just good design—it’s essential for driving impact in healthcare. At nuom, we’re dedicated to putting people first, crafting solutions that resonate deeply and improve lives.
Ready to shape the future of healthcare together?
Join us in building health tech that truly serves. At nuom, we believe every tool should be a bridge to better care and connection. Reach out to learn more about how we’re transforming healthcare through empathetic, patient-centred design. Let’s work hand in hand to make healthcare as much about human connection as it is about cutting-edge technology.
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