User Research The Context As a team we explored the patient experience within the Gynaecology and Obstetrics Unit at a Hospital, outside Copenhagen. We were initially struck by the generally positive relations within the department and the levels of familiarity between staff and patients. There were clear opportunities with the spatial organisation and environment of the department, as well as the distribution of information between staff. After initial general research across different areas of the department we decided to focus our findings and design work on the delivery ward . As a sensitive, yet extremely positive and uplifting area of childbirth, this balance of familiarity with professional behaviour was an important and complex patient/staff relationship that we wanted to explore further. Gathering User Insight Through observations of and interviews with both midwifes and patients, we identified several areas as potential design challenges. Utilization of space, communication within the department, and patient familiarity with the hospital and the pregnancy process emerged as key areas of focus.To delve deeper into the patient’s holistic experience, however, we wanted to explore the way in which midwives in particular interacted with both patient and her partner beyond the hospital’s immediate role. Through the use of research tools, exercises, and games carried out with several midwives, we explored the flexible boundary between the medical and the emotional role of health practitioners, how the patient was reassured throughout the pregnancy, delivery process, and how information, both good and bad, was communicated. User Research The Context As a team we explored the patient experience within the Gynaecology and Obstetrics Unit at a Hospital, outside Copenhagen. We were initially struck by the generally positive relations within the department and the levels of familiarity between staff and patients. There were clear opportunities with the spatial organisation and environment of the department, as well as the distribution of information between staff. After initial general research across different areas of the department we decided to focus our findings and design work on the delivery ward . As a sensitive, yet extremely positive and uplifting area of childbirth, this balance of familiarity with professional behaviour was an important and complex patient/staff relationship that we wanted to explore further. Gathering User Insight Through observations of and interviews with both midwifes and patients, we identified several areas as potential design challenges. Utilization of space, communication within the department, and patient familiarity with the hospital and the pregnancy process emerged as key areas of focus.To delve deeper into the patient’s holistic experience, however, we wanted to explore the way in which midwives in particular interacted with both patient and her partner beyond the hospital’s immediate role. Through the use of research tools, exercises, and games carried out with several midwives, we explored the flexible boundary between the medical and the emotional role of health practitioners, how the patient was reassured throughout the pregnancy, delivery process, and how information, both good and bad, was communicated. User Research The Context As a team we explored the patient experience within the Gynaecology and Obstetrics Unit at a Hospital, outside Copenhagen. We were initially struck by the generally positive relations within the department and the levels of familiarity between staff and patients. There were clear opportunities with the spatial organisation and environment of the department, as well as the distribution of information between staff. After initial general research across different areas of the department we decided to focus our findings and design work on the delivery ward . As a sensitive, yet extremely positive and uplifting area of childbirth, this balance of familiarity with professional behaviour was an important and complex patient/staff relationship that we wanted to explore further. Gathering User Insight Through observations of and interviews with both midwifes and patients, we identified several areas as potential design challenges. Utilization of space, communication within the department, and patient familiarity with the hospital and the pregnancy process emerged as key areas of focus.To delve deeper into the patient’s holistic experience, however, we wanted to explore the way in which midwives in particular interacted with both patient and her partner beyond the hospital’s immediate role. Through the use of research tools, exercises, and games carried out with several midwives, we explored the flexible boundary between the medical and the emotional role of health practitioners, how the patient was reassured throughout the pregnancy, delivery process, and how information, both good and bad, was communicated. User Research The Context As a team we explored the patient experience within the Gynaecology and Obstetrics Unit at a Hospital, outside Copenhagen. We were initially struck by the generally positive relations within the department and the levels of familiarity between staff and patients. There were clear opportunities with the spatial organisation and environment of the department, as well as the distribution of information between staff. After initial general research across different areas of the department we decided to focus our findings and design work on the delivery ward . As a sensitive, yet extremely positive and uplifting area of childbirth, this balance of familiarity with professional behaviour was an important and complex patient/staff relationship that we wanted to explore further. Gathering User Insight Through observations of and interviews with both midwifes and patients, we identified several areas as potential design challenges. Utilization of space, communication within the department, and patient familiarity with the hospital and the pregnancy process emerged as key areas of focus.To delve deeper into the patient’s holistic experience, however, we wanted to explore the way in which midwives in particular interacted with both patient and her partner beyond the hospital’s immediate role. Through the use of research tools, exercises, and games carried out with several midwives, we explored the flexible boundary between the medical and the emotional role of health practitioners, how the patient was reassured throughout the pregnancy, delivery process, and how information, both good and bad, was communicated.

User Research

The Context

As a team we explored the patient experience within the Gynaecology and Obstetrics Unit at a Hospital, outside Copenhagen. We were initially struck by the generally positive relations within the department and the levels of familiarity between staff and patients. There were clear opportunities with the spatial organisation and environment of the department, as well as the distribution of information between staff. After initial general research across different areas of the department we decided to focus our findings and design work on the delivery ward . As a sensitive, yet extremely positive and uplifting area of childbirth, this balance of familiarity with professional behaviour was an important and complex patient/staff relationship that we wanted to explore further.

Gathering User Insight

Through observations of and interviews with both midwifes and patients, we identified several areas as potential design challenges. Utilization of space, communication within the department, and patient familiarity with the hospital and the pregnancy process emerged as key areas of focus.To delve deeper into the patient’s holistic experience, however, we wanted to explore the way in which midwives in particular interacted with both patient and her partner beyond the hospital’s immediate role. Through the use of research tools, exercises, and games carried out with several midwives, we explored the flexible boundary between the medical and the emotional role of health practitioners, how the patient was reassured throughout the pregnancy, delivery process, and how information, both good and bad, was communicated.

  1. Date Posted Icon 19th January 2010