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Participatory design at a psychiatric daycenter: potentials and problems
1Department of Communication, Aalborg University, Denmark.
Studies in Health Technology and Informatics
|December 8, 1996
Summary
Engaging psychiatric clients in system design projects offers benefits like ownership but requires awareness of potential pitfalls. Understanding participant roles is crucial for successful participatory design in mental health services.
Area of Science:
- Human-Computer Interaction
- Psychiatric Services
- Participatory Design
Background:
- Psychiatric day centers serve individuals with mental health conditions.
- System development often lacks user involvement, particularly from client groups.
- Participatory design methods aim to integrate user needs into system development.
Purpose of the Study:
- To explore the engagement of psychiatric day center clients in a system development project.
- To investigate the feasibility of clients formulating requirements for a computer-based presentation.
- To identify benefits and challenges of participatory design with psychiatric clients.
Main Methods:
- A participatory approach was employed, involving clients in the system development process.
- The project focused on creating a computer-based presentation of the day center.
- Qualitative analysis of participant roles and project dynamics was conducted.
Main Results:
- Clients demonstrated a sense of ownership when involved in the design process.
- Establishing common ground for collaboration presented both potentials and problems.
- Specific pitfalls were identified, highlighting the need for careful management of the design process.
Conclusions:
- Engaging psychiatric clients in design projects yields benefits, particularly regarding user ownership.
- Awareness of potential pitfalls and the distinct roles participants assume is essential.
- Effective participatory design requires a nuanced understanding of client involvement in system development.