Using the Design Sprint process to enhance and accelerate behavioral medicine progress: a case study and guidance

Abstract

Abstract While challenges in the translation of behavioral medicine knowledge from academic settings to real-world use are well documented, they could potentially be reduced through the use of the Design Sprint process, a roadmap that facilitates progression from an idea to a product in 5 days via agile design and user-centered design principles. The Design Sprint is well aligned with several priorities of and methods common in behavioral medicine, including obtaining end-user feedback and thinking about implementation during intervention development. The Design Sprint could be used by behavioral medicine researchers for the development of research tools, implementation strategies, and behavior change interventions. The process may encourage creative and focused thinking, speed product development, and facilitate early user input. However, translating the Design Sprint to behavioral medicine research may present challenges, such as difficulty getting buy-in from team members, inconsistencies between the Design Sprint timeline, the need to obtain institutional review board approval for user testing, and the lack of traditional research processes (e.g., incorporating scientific research into intervention design). Several solutions and adaptations are possible to overcome these challenges while still maintaining the core features of the Design Sprint process. To demonstrate the use of the Design Sprint and potential adaptations, we present a case study of the development of a patient-facing digital tool for weight management and an accompanying implementation strategy. In conclusion, the Design Sprint offers behavioral medicine researchers an approach to developing new products with numerous potential benefits to researchers and to the individuals and communities we seek to impact.