Take charge: collaboratively designing educational resources for children and adolescents with chronic functional constipation

Abstract

Co-design, where designers work directly with end-users to create design outcomes, is a successful and popular method for generating user-centred solutions in healthcare. However, partnering directly with end-users is not always possible or appropriate. This article looks at how the author’s 3-Corner Collaborative Design Model was utilized as an alternative to traditional co-design methods in the production of education materials for children and adolescents with Chronic Functional Constipation. With more designers venturing into the health and medical space, it is important that we consider how they can partner with discipline experts to work confidently, effectively and safely in this environment. This article positions the 3-Corner Collaborative Design Model as an appropriate fit for health education projects, when interaction with patients as end-users is not possible, due to its strategic positioning of designer, clinician and patient as knowledge experts and valued contributors.

Keywords:

• Co-design
• constipation
• design model
• paediatrics
• patient education

Acknowledgments

The author wishes to extend a special thank you to the study participants.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Belinda Paulovich

Dr. Belinda Paulovich is a Lecturer in Swinburne's School of Design and Architecture. She teaches communication design and participatory design in undergraduate and postgraduate programs. Her research investigates the role of communication design in improving health, wellbeing, and social outcomes across the lifespan. Prior to joining Swinburne, Belinda completed a PhD in visual communication where she explored the use of co-design methods in creating paediatric patient education materials.