Development of a Data-Centric Design Thinking Process for Innovative Care Delivery

Abstract

Objectives: This work aims to improve the quality of care provided to patients by equipping caregivers with comprehensive set of problem-solving tools and competencies. This is achieved through the development of a customized health design process that incorporates both human-centric and data-centric tools. Background: To meet the growing complexity of today’s clinical practice, caregivers need to be empowered with the tools and competencies necessary to address the multifaceted challenges they encounter. This has emphasized the need to broaden the traditional role of caregivers as evidence-based practitioners to include being healthcare problem-solvers and innovators who utilize their creative and critical thinking skills. Method: While design thinking (DT) is a popular methodology that fosters caregivers’ empathy and creativity, it does not provide tools for evaluating the quality of obtained solutions. To address this gap, a problem-solving process that combines DT and data-centric tools of the Lean Six Sigma method was developed in this work. Results: The evaluation of this customized design process was based on targeted competencies derived from the six aims of healthcare. The potential benefits are then highlighted through mapping the possible outputs of every phase with the targeted set of caregivers’ skills. Additionally, an implementation plan was outlined for a local hospital, showcasing the potential impact this process can have in empowering caregivers with the necessary competencies to create effective and innovative solutions for care delivery. Conclusion: Overall, This unique approach has the potential to contribute to the ongoing effort to transform healthcare into an efficient system that meets the needs of both patients and caregivers.