How Design Thinking and Quality Improvement Can Be Integrated into a "Human-Centered Quality Improvement" Approach to Solve Problems in Perinatology

Clin Perinatol. 2023 Jun;50(2):435-448. doi: 10.1016/j.clp.2023.01.006. Epub 2023 Mar 27.

Abstract

Both quality improvement (QI) and design thinking (DT) methodologies have their unique strengths and weaknesses. Although QI sees problems through a process-centered lens, DT leverages a human-centered approach to understand how people think, behave, and act when encountering a problem. By integrating these 2 frameworks, clinicians have a unique opportunity to rethink how to solve problems in health care by elevating the human experience and putting empathy back at the center of medicine.

Keywords: Design thinking; Human-centered design; Innovation; Neonatal-perinatal; Neonatology; Perinatology.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Delivery of Health Care
  • Humans
  • Perinatology*
  • Quality Improvement*