Scott Barrows, Design Lab Lead
Design Lab
Innovative companies and even hospital systems are developing more ways to change health care for the better. But sometimes they design solutions for patients and clinicians without taking that proverbial mile-long walk in their shoes.
How might we create paths that fit each person’s journey?
It starts with people
For decades, companies, innovators and entrepreneurs have designed technology and tools with limited insight from potential users, and people adopted them without question. However, that method no longer works in the era of the customer. People are looking for products that address their needs and ultimately solve their real-world problems. Enter human-centered design.
Human-centered design starts and ends with people. It’s about building empathy for those an organization serves by getting to know them better. With that in mind, the Design Lab works closely with end-users, including patients, families and clinicians, to design solutions that are engaging and life changing. The application of user design and user experience (UI/UX) resources focuses on meaningful connections and understanding.
In collaboration with other labs, the Design Lab will generate ideas, build prototypes, test with end users and offer solid solutions in health care. With a focus on community health, the Design Lab will gather information to create engaging technology and tools for vulnerable populations.
Designing the future
- Mobile vaccination program: Vaccinating children in underserved populations remains a high priority for OSF HealthCare. A grant from Illinois Innovation Network has helped the Design Lab in collaboration with Illinois State University do just that. The funding was used to develop an artificial intelligence-driven dashboard. Data from the dashboard will direct a mobile vaccination program that provides free recommended children’s vaccinations in underserved areas of Central Illinois.
- Heart failure app: Clinicians often find it difficult to help patients manage complex medical conditions such as heart failure as it often includes taking multiple medications, self-care routines and diet and lifestyle changes. As a result, the Design Lab developed a heart failure app as a resource to help patients manage their condition.
- Mobile devices in shelters program: The homeless are some of the most underserved people in the country when it comes to health care. To make a dent in this problem, the
Design Lab placed 12 iPads and three kiosks to support Peoria homeless shelters. These devices screen people for ten areas of social needs including food insecurity, financial support, housing, transportation and intimate partner violence. The goal is to connect those in need with resources, such as food, transportation or employment.
If you are interested in learning more about the OSF Innovation Labs, participating in certain aspects of the journey or if you want to invest or collaborate, contact us today.
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Roopa Foulger, Collaborator, Data and Advanced Informatics Lab
Adam Cross, MD, Clinical Informaticist, Children's Innovation Lab Lead