Co-design Activity

Research problem statement

How might we create adaptive hospital patient rooms that facilitate positive emotional and mental well-being during patient recovery?

Co-design problem statement

How might we co-create a shared sense of comfort, safety, and privacy within the hospital room environment?

Session Objectives

Determine the ideal multi-patient room experience from the perspective of the patient, rather than that of the institution.

Provide participants with a sense of ownership over the multi-patient room design‚

Reveal new issues with multi-patient room design and afford participants the opportunity to freely express their concerns

Determine how the hospital space and environment can aid in patient recovery.

Icebreaker: Thinking about when you are at home, what do you need to make you feel the most comfortable (warm blanket, cup of tea, a particular smell, etc.)

Icebreaker: Ask participants to talk about what they remember from the last admitted hospital room they were at. They can provide any positive or negative experiences either verbally or write a list of what they remember.

Class co-design activity

Our team  facilitated a mock co-design session with classmates

A screenshot of the virtual jamboard after participants added comments and notes. The whiteboard is divided into four quadrants with an illustration of a multi-patient hospital room in the centre. The center horizontal line divides the board in half, top and bottom, and lists "Intangible" at the left edge and "tangible" at the right edge. The vertical line dividing the board in half, left to right, lists "general" at the top and "personal" at the bottom. The comments include elements such as natural light and plants in the personal/tangible quad, freedom to move in the personal/intangible quad, access to mental health care in the general/intangible quad and social activities with other patients in the general/tangible quad.
co-design activity with classmates labelling
A screenshot of the virtual jamboard after participants added their preferred images to the empty multi-patient hospital room illustration. The final design features numerous plants, various lighting options, a room divider, window curtains, lounge area with a couch, books and television.
co-design activity with classmates room design

Participant Co-design Session Video

Our team  joined our interviewee and co-design participant along with his wife for an hour and half for Activity 1 & 2.

Activity 1

Ask participants to plot their ideas on the hospital room quadrant, according to the quads ranging from personal to general and tangible to intangible. Participation will be guided based on the following questions:

  1. What does healing mean to you?
  2. What elements and qualities does a space need for a well-balanced recovery?
  3. What elements/layout can provide physical and emotional comfort to aid in recovery?
  4. What nature elements can provide more relaxation for patients and caregivers in patient rooms?
  5. What could add a better sense of privacy and safety?

Activity 2

Ask participant to design their own multi-patient room using the provided space and utility images, or by adding their ideas using sticky notes. Participants will also have the opportunity to select their colour preferences based on provided colour palette images or images they source on their own.

  1. Testing with class mates
  2. Feedback and modifications
  3. Co-design session with Roy (data, feedback…)

Co-design session results

Key insights

  • Trust in the hospital staff plays an important role in patient comfort.
  • Communication needs to improve, for example knowing someone is on their way after using the nurse call button would aid in reducing patient anxiety.
  • Flexibility and adaptability on the space would aid in patient's feelings of safety and security, for example, adjustable lighting for reading, sleeping, outlets for patients to charge their personal electronics, and lockers to safely store valuables or personal information.
  • Noise has negative consequences including lack of sleep and relaxation.
  • Fresh air is important in patient recovery and well-being.

Outcomes

  • Validated problem spaces in the multi-patient room experience
  • Validated the patient journey, needs and pain points
  • Gained insights into various perspectives about space, personal use, and services required in hospital rooms
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