Involvement of frontline clinicians in healthcare technology development: Lessons learned from a ventilator project

Abstract

Co-development of healthcare technology with users helps produce user-friendly products, ensuring safe device usage and meeting patients’ needs. For developers considering healthcare innovations, engaging user experience can reduce production time and cost while maximizing device application. The purpose of this paper is to report lessons learned from the development of a 3D printed origami ventilator prototype in response to the rise of ventilator demand due to the Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic. We conducted focus groups with frontline clinicians working in an Intensive Care Unit of a large urban hospital in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada. In the interdisciplinary focus groups, we identified challenges, practical tips about product development, the human needs of technology, and cross-discipline peer learning. The focus group discussions provide useful insight into the technology development for complex clinical contexts. Based on our experiences, we articulate five practical tips for co-development of healthcare technology - AGILE: Analyse users’ needs first, Gain insights into complex context, Involve users early and frequently, Lead with a prototype, and Educate and support. Through sharing the tips and lessons learned, we wish to emphasize the necessity of meaningful multi-disciplinary collaboration during healthcare technology development and promote the inclusion of frontline clinicians during these initiatives.

Digital transitions in healthcare: the need for transdisciplinary research to overcome barriers of privacy enhancing technologies uptake

“…For instance, disputes over data harmonisation approaches led to the temporary suspension of the semantic interoperability challenge. Rather than leveraging diverse perspectives [24][25][26], the lack of sharing and communicating these diverging logics can lead to differences driving conflict and neglect [39]. Our findings emphasise the importance of acknowledging these differences and implementing effective communication and collaboration strategies.…”

“…This transformation is important in fostering interdisciplinary consciousness and managing internal conflicts, required for successful transdisciplinary research and practice [28]. While introducing students to diverse perspectives in their education is recommended as one key element to improve this transformation [24], our observations highlight the facilitator's critical role in professional settings to sustain and drive transdisciplinary awareness and mutual learning. With divergent interests, facilitators must maintain political sensitivity to foster constructive dialogue and sustain it, especially among conflicting perspectives.…”

“…Due to the high interdependencies between disciplines, creating change within this constellation cannot be established with one discipline. Therefore, to ensure the integration of technology within the healthcare domain, several recent studies advocate for the incorporation of diverse perspectives during the developmental phase, through user engagement and application of interdisciplinary frameworks [24][25][26]. However, co-creation in a multidisciplinary setting also poses its own challenges, as different actors bring different perceptions of the problem, perspectives, interests and values that are not always congruent [27].…”