How to Program Positive Medical Device User Experience Using Narratives, Storytelling and Priming

Abstract

This study investigates how narratives and storytelling in relation to the delivery of a medical device to a patient influence the psychological effect of the device on the patient. The effect was investigated in a pilot study designed as a randomized control experiment in which an experimental group was exposed to positive narratives and storytelling in delivery of cosmetic breast enhancing surgery. The control group went through the same surgical procedures but without hearing these positive stories. Results show that the experimental group reported significantly more positive user experiences than the patients who were not exposed to the stories. It is concluded that narratives and storytelling enhance a positive psychological outcome and that more research in this area could help design the delivery of medical devices to patients.