Design a hybrid patient journey in supportive care

Master thesis (2022)

Authors

T. LONG Industrial Design Engineering

Contributors

R.H.M. Goossens Human-Centered Design (supervisor 1)
S.R. Dehli Responsible Marketing and Consumer Behavior (supervisor 2)
Faculty
Industrial Design Engineering
Copyright: © 2022 TINGWEI LONG
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Published Date

08-07-2022

Language

English

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Faculty

Industrial Design Engineering

Abstract

Supportive care, regardless of its diversity or who provides it, aims to enhance and preserve the quality of life and independence and to empower and optimize well-being (Fitch, 2008). We can see that digital health can benefit supportive care by empowering users, providing more accessible support, and encouraging self-management. However, the impact of digital health interventions on existing organizations and systems is not always positive and effective.

We could conclude that even with the rapid development of DHIs, physical or traditional interventions cannot be replaced entirely. That is to say, digital health intervention remains a viable option rather than a necessity, its purpose being to be a supplement and complement to the current medical system. (Yildiz & Oksuzoglu, 2020)

This project explores how to connect digital and traditional care to create a seamless experience that fully embraces patients in cancer care when and where they need it. However, it is unclear how this hybrid model fits in the context of the supportive care plan.

To understand how to build such a hybrid patient journey, we decided to research the types of problems in SCP and think about what role the DHIs could play.

To gain a more systematic understanding, we researched three groups of people: patients, health professionals, and medical experts. The result of the research led to a picture of the current patient journey, which helped us identify opportunities for intervention. We believe the DHIs can help alleviate the current pressure on the system and provide patients with timely, adequate and effective supportive care. However, it must be based on providing patients with digital care that fits their situation.
Based on this, we designed the future patient journey. It shows how digital care can be combined with traditional care. Also, it includes 1) the opportunities to involve more DHIs in SCP;
2) the concept of the AI support system to help the HCPs decide the care plan.

In addition to this, an extensive validation study has proven that the new patient journey has the potential to help the patients access care and increase their well-being. Also, the AI support system could help HCPs make decisions and reduce their workload.

The whole project started with women with breast cancer. However, in the interviews, we found that this could apply to other cancer care where the patient can use the digital tool.