Abstract

In this case study Blue Cottage Consulting shares their human centered design approach for the development of a functional program and operational vision for the future Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) at Alberta Children’s Hospital. This approach included engaging families and front-line staff in photo journals and storyboarding activities in order to gain a deeper understanding of their needs and desires for the future space. We found that human centered design has great applicability in the field of healthcare and can be used to expand the family and patient centered care movement. Human centered design tools can successfully empower front-line staff, patients and families to engage in the visioning of their future health experiences.