Big data for better care
2019, Synthesis map, OCAD University, masters in Design for Health
In collaboration with Christopher Rice and Lawrence Ly, I investigated the use of big data to support transition into care for older adults diagnosed with dementia. We developed a framework to understand how personal preferences can be interpreted into care plans, and used fictional journeys mapped through social determinants to discuss gaps in quality of care.
Presented in the student poster competition at the 14th Annual NICE Knowledge Exchange.
Role / Researcher, creative director, facilitator
Timeline / February to April, 2019
“How might we harness big data to translate personal preferences into health care?”
The design process
Brief
This was a project for a course called Systems and Services. The goal for this project was to map and redesign a social system for health or a healthcare service by collaborating to develop a synthesis map and summary report.
Research
We conducted secondary research into governmental policy, the future of long-term care, big data, and public perception using academic and grey literature. Additional research into social and behavioural theories was gathered as the need for a framework emerged.
Mapping
Stakeholder mapping, systemigrams, causal diagrams and iterative inquiry were used to identify more details around the fuzzy problem at hand. I used my facilitation skills to lead discussion and capture ideas as we mapped collaboratively on whiteboards.
Synthesis
Our research and maps were synthesized into a final map and informed our written discussion of the problem. The synthesis was created through multiple iterations using a whiteboard, many sticky notes, and collaboration. As all group members had digital design skills, final digitization was a shared effort.
Mapping
Synthesis
Informed by various social and behavioural theories we developed a framework to map personal preferences along a timeline. While our map compares the health journeys of individuals experiencing dementia this framework could be applied to any scenario within any context where someones preferences are being interpreted by another.
Using five social determinants of health we visualized the existing quality of life for each persona prior to their diagnosis. The persona timelines run in five colours to show the changes in their determinants as they enter into their new-normal.
Working from basic ideas we had for personas I created strong narratives around each persona to connect with any audience engaging with the map.