Partnering in digital health design: engaging the multidisciplinary team in a needs analysis

Using participatory co-design methods and in partnership with consumers we have developed a mHealth application to support heart failure self-management. In the first phase of the research we conducted a needs analysis with clinicians. The objectives were to define the features to perceivably support self-management and the clinical requirements in preparation for its implementation as an adjunct to existing multidisciplinary care. Interviews were conducted using the ‘Rose, Thorn, Bud’ technique from Design Thinking together with a brainstorming session with post-it notes. Six sixty-minute interviews and one email exchange with seven clinicians produced 154 data points in total; 97 relating to self-management support and 57 to clinical relevance. Analysis of these data points resulted in design implications articulated in a design brief for use in subsequent co-design workshops. Our discussion focuses on a critique of the technique, which appears to be useful for this stakeholder group although concerns of adequately representing complexity emerged. This method was considered inadequately comprehensive for use in the needs analysis with patients and family. The authors encourage further research evaluating in-hospital processes for co-designed health technologies.