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The Caregiving Journey: Arts-Based Methods as Tools for Participatory Co-Design of Health Technologies
- Source :
- Social Sciences, Vol 11, Iss 9, p 396 (2022)
- Publication Year :
- 2022
- Publisher :
- MDPI AG, 2022.
-
Abstract
- Being an informal caregiver to a loved one with an illness, disease, or chronic disability is a rewarding but frequently stressful experience. In this design research project, caregivers participated in a half-day workshop to (1) share their caregiving experience, (2) reflect on the potential of a mobile smartphone ‘app’ for carers and (3) co-design this app, as well as in-depth interviews. Our design research process used multiple arts-based methods, including visual experience mapping tools, storytelling, photo-elicitation, documentary photography, cartoons, drawing, and research poetry, to provide rich and empathic insight into daily life as a caregiver and illuminate the potential of technology. Workshop activities included creating a visual collage of lived experience, annotated visual maps illustrating the reality and misconceptions of caregiving, pathways of care, and mapping a day in their life using the visual metaphor of a clock. Carers then trialled and provided feedback on a prototype app, creating a collective map of desired features. This co-design feedback informed the final app design, which was formally launched at a public exhibition showcasing stories collected from our arts and design-led processes. This paper outlines the value of arts and design methods in the design of future health technologies, which provide a critical space for an informed, reflexive, and empathic dialogue about illness and caregiving, resulting in designs that truly met consumer’s needs.
Details
- Language :
- English
- ISSN :
- 20760760
- Volume :
- 11
- Issue :
- 9
- Database :
- Directory of Open Access Journals
- Journal :
- Social Sciences
- Publication Type :
- Academic Journal
- Accession number :
- edsdoj.1ad03d5d74ff418a893f5f033ff467a8
- Document Type :
- article
- Full Text :
- https://doi.org/10.3390/socsci11090396