Knowledge Base Repository
In addition to research papers, the Design Society is developing several valuable resources for those interested in the study of design. These include a repository of PhD theses, a library of case studies and transcripts of design activities, and an archive of our newsletters. Please note that these resources are accessible exclusively to Design Society members.
Improving needs-finding techniques for medical device development at low resource environments using Activity Theory
Rismani, Shalaleh; Van der Loos, H. F. Machiel
Type:
Year:
2017
Editor:
Anja Maier, Stanko Škec, Harrison Kim, Michael Kokkolaras, Josef Oehmen, Georges Fadel, Filippo Salustri, Mike Van der Loos
Author:
Series:
ICED
Institution:
The University of British Columbia, Canada
Section:
Resource Sensitive Design, Design Research Applications and Case Studies
Page(s):
249-258
ISBN:
978-1-904670-89-6
ISSN:
2220-4342
Abstract:
It is critical to evaluate and improve existing needs-finding techniques for design in new and complex spaces. In the recent decade, more companies and organizations are focusing on medical device development (MDD) for low-resource environments. This paper proposes and studies a novel needs-finding technique based on Activity Theory that can be used for MDD for low-resource settings. This novel technique aims to offer a more comprehensive analysis of a design problem by considering the clinical, technical and socioeconomic factors. The paper describes and discusses a design study that was done with seven biomedical engineering student teams. The goal of the study was to compare the Activity Theory-based Needs Finding (ATNF) technique with a more conventional technique. The results indicate that novel ATNF technique can be successfully used by design teams and the technique allows for a more comprehensive analysis of the problem scope.
Keywords:
