In today's digital landscape, where technology permeates every aspect of our lives, the impact of design is more significant than ever.
North York General Hospital: Redesigning the Staff Wellness Areas
Recent years have put many demands on the healthcare sector, specifically front-line staff. The increase in healthcare burnout among hospital staff has been felt globally, and it has become a strategic focus to restore the well-being of healthcare staff. In the spirit of human-centred design, North York General Hospital partnered with OCAD University’s Master of Design for Health students to embark on a series of methodologies describing proposed designs to improve staff wellness.
In collaboration with North York General Hospital and associated staff, the OCAD University Design for Health
Studio 2 team 2023 presents the following guidelines, considerations and supportive research to optimize and support staff health and wellbeing. As a group of health designers with varied expertise and backgrounds, some based in traditional design, some from within the practice of medicine and clinical support, as well as some from non-traditional foundations of design, the architectural, psychological and community health considerations of the North York General clinical staff were addressed.
Design for Care
In the spirit of human-centred design, the team has embarked primarily on a series of methodologies described herein as the how clinical staff currently use and would desire to use the current spaces in question:
The 5th-floor locker room,
The 5th-floor breakroom,
The main floor Wellness Room and associated structures.
Core challenge
The core challenge of this project was to focus on improving the functionality of identified areas of the hospital to aid in staff engagement. This project drew on primary and secondary research from
Scoping reviews,
Student site visits
Observational notes were taken, which were applied to surveys, interviews, and collected data for thematic analysis.
Design perspectives
Three design perspectives were formed:
Individual perspective
Psychophysical well-being
Social and community satisfaction as design strategies and shaped the interventions for the proposed final designs.
Included with the proposed designs are validated evaluation tools that support the guiding principles of this project to be continued forward as a sustainable and engaging design.
The Circulate Project (Sunnybrook Hospital) | C-CHANGE : Empowering individuals to manage their blood pressure
The Circulate Project, an ongoing design research endeavour, is proudly sponsored by Sunnybrook Hospital. The cornerstone of this initiative is based on the Canadian Cardiovascular Harmonized National Guidelines Endeavour (C-CHANGE) program. The main objective of The Circulate Project is to assist patients with hypertension by improving their comprehension of their disease and providing them with the necessary resources to manage it, averting severe heart-related health consequences effectively.
Our objective goes beyond simply providing information; we aim to alleviate the fear linked to hypertension by empowering individuals to assume responsibility for their health. Our goal is to enhance individuals' ability to effectively manage hypertension by providing them with educational resources, practical tools, and individualized assistance, which will help build their confidence and self-efficacy. Through this approach, we aim to enhance not only the well-being of individuals but also make a meaningful contribution to wider public health initiatives in the fight against cardiovascular disease.
Baycrest: Effective Detection & Management of Patients with Dementia Toolkit
This tool was intended for primary care physicians, describes the holistic, supportive elements and offers a comprehensive view of the diagnostic possibilities while simulating and considering the limitations faced by family physicians (in a clinic and walk-in capacities). The tool reflected the suitable performance level a doctor might expect. It also contained supportive management aids for the physician in addition to supportive management for the patient. Incorporated into this tool is a holistic approach appropriate for primary care use. It also supported the family doctor’s performance, which depended on the patient’s level of cognitive ability, the doctor’s current understanding of the various inclusion and exclusion criteria of the diseases mentioned in the concept, and the use of the medication indicated within pharmacological management. Additionally, the tool offered varied exit points and opportunities for task delegation.
Moyo Health & Community Services: Party ‘n’ Play campaign
The described techniques attempt to achieve widespread awareness that involved physicians in order to overcome the stigma surrounding Party and Play (PnP) activities. we presented the Paper Planes and On Air Campaigns to foster dialogues among healthcare staff, empowering providers to enhance awareness, educate, and establish a more secure environment. MOYO's primary function was to distribute information, in accordance with the Gay Men Sexual Health Alliance's training on PnP awareness, to ensure that clients may participate safely and receive assistance from highly skilled services. This method strongly emphasizes language and expertise, with a primary focus on ensuring patient comfort and providing support in healthcare services.
