Co-design to understand the tracheostomy product experiences of long-term tracheostomy users

ABSTRACT

Tracheostomy product designs have barely changed in 100 years. Furthermore, there is limited research into the experiences of people living with long-term tracheostomy. Existing tracheostomy designs focus on minimizing costs and maintaining clinical function, often at the expense of user experience. Because tracheostomy user numbers are relatively small, their needs are overlooked despite the significant impact on their everyday lives. In response, this research aimed to capture tracheostomy users’ stories, advocate for greater consideration of their needs and challenge historic stagnation in tracheostomy design. Co-design workshops were used to give tracheostomy users a voice, build a better understanding of the daily challenges they face and explore the complex relationships they have with their tracheostomy products. Research findings were captured in a series of critical design artefacts intended to evoke empathy for users’ experiences and highlight problems with existing tracheostomy products. The research highlights aspects of tracheostomy user experiences requiring further research, sets a precedent for future design-led research in this area and makes a compelling case for tracheostomy product design innovation. The critical design artefacts are part of ongoing work concerning the design of tracheostomy products, and will be used to build support for improving tracheostomy users’ experiences.

KEYWORDS:

• Tracheostomy
• co-design
• critical design
• prototyping
• artefacts

Acknowledgments

We would like to thank the participants, Auckland City Hospital ORL staff and Dr Jill Wrapson for their invaluable contributions to the research.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.

Additional information

Notes on contributors

C. Dickson

C. Dickson earned her Masters’ degree in product design from Auckland University of Technology where she worked on a range of health care-related projects. She has a particular interest in using craft sensibilities to humanize health care products and services.

S. D. Reay

S.D. Reay is co-director of the Design for Health and Wellbeing Lab, a collaboration between the Auckland District Health Board and AUT, initiated to develop an intentional relationship between design process and the area of health and well-being, and underpinned by interdisciplinary collaboration and a strong focus on user-centred design.

R. Douglas

R. Douglas, after spending time working in traditional product design, helped establish the Design for Health and Wellbeing Lab in Auckland City Hospital where he is currently employed. His work ranges from applied areas such as furniture design, wayfinding solutions and communication design to helping manage a mixed discipline studio environment. He also has a focus on mentoring postgraduates and interns who are interested in using their design skills in the health context.

I. Nakarada-Kordic

I. Nakarada-Kordic is a qualitative researcher with a background in human factors and health psychology. Her work at the DHW Lab focuses on user experiences in the health care context. As part of the Lab's multidisciplinary team, she is currently involved in various co-design projects involving patients, designers, researchers and clinicians in the Auckland area.