This paper reports on the application of design-based tools used to uncover the needs of people living with a chronic condition. It was built on increasing rhetoric calling for greater involvement of patients in the creation of appropriate support mechanisms, and presents a means to achieve this using design approaches and tools. The paper presents the development and use of scenariobased design probes to facilitate participation of People Living with Lymphoedema (PLWL) early in the design process. Lymphoedema is a chronic condition requiring a cumbersome everyday management routine. Selfmanagement support is necessary to increase quality of life, and decrease complications and hospitalisation. However, consistent practice of selfmanagement among PLWL is low and the need to improve support is recognised. This research explored how PLWL's transitions towards becoming experts of their condition might be supported. Literature describing the lymphoedema experience was systematically investigated from a behavioural perspective to develop scenario-based probes. These probes provided rich insights by facilitating the envisioning of alternative futures to self-management support with interview participants with lymphoedema. To inform the design of better support for chronic conditions, the stages and components of behaviour change for lymphoedema self-management, and the associated support needs are presented.
This study investigates the experience of people with the chronic medical condition lymphoedema, to inform the design of new products. Articles from literature that describe lived lymphoedema experiences are thematically synthesised from a behavioural lens. People with lymphoedema go through stages toward achieving levels of expertise, motivation and routine, to maintain effective self-management in the long-term. A preliminary framework is proposed that presents four themes (competence, autonomy, daily routine and socio-psychological) and their stages. The purpose of the framework is to assist designers in understanding how people with lymphoedema experience self-management. Focusing on facilitating a transition through these multi-dimensional stages is suggested as a means to aid the design of supportive health products. Related design implementations are discussed through product examples. This framework is developed as part of a wider research project, where the following stages will be concerned with refinement of the framework through primary research with people with lymphoedema and their healthcare providers. design for self-management; lymphoedema; chronic conditions; health and wellbeing Dr Dominic Eggbeer has fifteen years' experience of Research and Innovation projects that aim to improve design performance within both public and private sector organisations on subjects around Patient Specific Medical Device Design, User Centred Design and Advanced Manufacturing Technologies. Prof. Andrew Walters has eighteen years' experience of Research and Innovation projects that aim to improve design performance within both public and private sector organisations on subjects around Product Design, Service Design, User Centred Design, Design Management and Design Policy.
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