Exploring a human-centred approach to improve the usability of medical devices used in an outpatient intravenous antibiotic treatment

Abstract

There is limited evidence for how the medical devices used by a New Zealand District Health Board’s Outpatient Intravenous Antibiotic (OPIVA) system could be improved. This study used human-centred design (HCD) to explore a possible redesign of this system to improve patients’ experiences. Using an iterative design process, informed by semi-structured interviews, the study explored problems with the existing OPIVA system. Through the experiences and input of participants, potential product design opportunities were explored. This case study primarily focuses on the design of a new product solution to replace the surgical tape used to hold the intravenous line used within the existing system in place on the patient’s arm. This new solution, an adhesive clip, could increase the accessibility and ease of use of the system. Furthermore, it helps demonstrates the value of human-centred design-based approaches to medical product improvement. Historically, the design of medical products has centred on minimizing costs and improving health outcomes, often leaving patients out of the development process. Our findings demonstrate how putting patients’ experiences at the centre of the product improvement process can result in novel opportunities that may help drive medical device innovation.

Keywords:

• Product design
• human-centred design
• medical device
• intravenous antibiotics
• outpatient intravenous antibiotic service

Acknowledgements

We would like to thank our participants for sharing their experiences and expertise with us throughout the duration of this study.

Disclosure statement

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

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Kate Weatherly

Kate Weatherly is a product designer and research assistant in the School of Art and Design and a member of Good Health Design at AUT. She has a particular interest in the design of medical devices to improve health and wellbeing experiences for end users.

Stephen Reay

Stephen Reay is a Professor, School of Art and Design and Director of Good Health Design at AUT – a design studio bringing together the fields of design and health, while helping students engage with design processes in the area of health and wellbeing.