Abstract

User-centered design relies upon the appreciation that assistive technology device solutions need to include the functional and supra-functional (e.g., emotional, social, cultural) needs of users. Developing solutions without basing decision-making on both quantitative (functional) and qualitative (supra-functional) needs can lead to imbalanced devices, services, and/or environments. Satisfying both functional and supra-functional needs is the foundation of usercentered design, which in itself relies upon empathic understanding of the person that one is aiming to serve. This paper presents a study of the lived experiences of people living with Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis, their caregivers, and members of the healthcare management team from a human-centered perspective in the pursuit of pain points, deeper understanding of the emotional needs, and revelation of opportunities for improving quality of life and human experience through more user-centered design. We focus on user-centered design-thinking research tools (e.g., mood boards, journey maps, personas) to (a) understand the authentic experience of the individual in their vernacular and their terminology, and (b) to support a data rich conversation that focuses upon both functional and supra-functional needs to highlight opportunities for design interventions).

Original languageEnglish (US)
Title of host publicationProceedings of the 2021 Design of Medical Devices Conference, DMD 2021
PublisherAmerican Society of Mechanical Engineers
ISBN (Electronic)9780791884812
DOIs
StatePublished - 2021
Event2021 Design of Medical Devices Conference, DMD 2021 - Virtual, Online
Duration: Apr 12 2021Apr 15 2021

Publication series

NameProceedings of the 2021 Design of Medical Devices Conference, DMD 2021

Conference

Conference2021 Design of Medical Devices Conference, DMD 2021
CityVirtual, Online
Period4/12/214/15/21

Keywords

  • ALS
  • Emotional needs
  • Empathy

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Biomedical Engineering

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