Design Mapping: A Conceptual Framework for Co-Designing Evidence-Based Digital Mental Health Programs

Area of Science:

• Digital Health
• Mental Health Interventions
• Human-Computer Interaction

Background:

• Limited guidance exists for codesigning digital mental health programs with end-users.
• Barriers include user exclusion, lack of diversity focus, inadequate collaboration tools, and prioritizing usability over research.
• This hinders the effectiveness of digital mental health supports.

Purpose of the Study:

• To present a novel conceptual framework, 'Design Mapping', for developing digital mental health programs.
• To address limitations in current codesign practices within the healthcare industry.
• To provide pragmatic methods for real-world utilization in developing digital mental health programs.

Main Methods:

• The Design Mapping framework was developed through a three-stage process.
• Consultation with industry experts and literature review identified best practices for user collaboration.
• The framework was refined by applying it to develop a novel early childhood parenting program ('Active Play'/'Daily Growth').

Main Results:

• Design Mapping integrates Design Thinking tools for user collaboration with Intervention Mapping methodology.
• It considers factors specific to mental health and digital support program development.
• Pilot testing of the 'Active Play' program indicated feasibility, effectiveness, and engagement.

Conclusions:

• Design Mapping offers a novel conceptual codesign methodology for evidence-based digital mental health programs.
• The framework is responsive to diverse user needs and preferences.
• Future research will compare its effectiveness against existing methodologies.