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Creative Problem Solving: Design Thinking in Health and Social Care

Learn how design thinking can be applied in health and social care settings to drive innovation and approach challenges.

6,631 enrolled on this course

Creative Problem Solving: Design Thinking in Health and Social Care

6,631 enrolled on this course

  • 2 weeks

  • 4 hours per week

  • Accreditation available

  • Digital certificate when eligible

  • Introductory level

Find out more about how to join this course

The CPD Certification Service

This course has been certified by the CPD Certification Service as conforming to continuing professional development principles. Find out more.

Explore how design thinking can be applied in health and social care

Healthcare systems face many issues: increasing demand, limited budgets, and major health challenges like ageing populations. New approaches are needed to ensure healthcare systems are working as well as they can.

Design thinking is an innovative approach that offers valuable strategies for creating ‘user-centred care’. On this course you will learn the core principles of design thinking including visualisation, iteration, and collaboration. You will explore how it can be applied to the healthcare sector, analysing recent case studies across a range of health and social care settings.

Syllabus

  • Week 1

    The power of design thinking

    • Introduction

      In these first few steps, you will be introduced to the course and the educators and obtain an overview of the learning objectives and content to be covered in the first week.

    • The context for design and health

      In this activity, we outline the current context for design thinking as a relevant approach for problem-solving in health and social care, with reference to examples and systemic issues facing health and social care systems.

    • Design models

      In this activity, we will look at different design models, specifically the double diamond model. We will then go on to think about the problem we use design thinking to solve.

    • Design principles

      In this activity, we will look at the 4 design principles in detail and some associated case studies.

    • Summary of Week 1

      In this final step, we will review what we have covered over Week 1 of this course.

  • Week 2

    Applied design thinking

    • Design in practice

      In this activity, we look at what's to come in Week 2 and introduce a specific case study in Rheumatology where design thinking has been used.

    • Double Diamond: Discover

      In this activity, we look at the first phase of the double diamond design model, Discover. We look at what it is and why it is important, as well as examine some toolbox and case studies which showcase this phase.

    • Double Diamond: Define

      In this activity, we look at the second phase of the double diamond design model, Define. We look at what it is and why it is important, as well as examine some toolbox and case studies which showcase this phase.

    • Double Diamond: Develop

      In this activity, we look at the third phase of the double diamond design model, Develop. We look at what it is and why it is important, as well as examine some toolbox and case studies which showcase this phase.

    • Double Diamond: Deliver

      In this activity, we look at the final phase of the double diamond design model, Deliver. We look at what it is and why it is important, as well as examine some toolbox and case studies which showcase this phase.

    • Summary of Week 2

      In the final few steps, we will review what we have covered over Week 2 of this course.

Who is this accredited by?

The CPD Certification Service
The CPD Certification Service:

The CPD Certification Service was established in 1996 and is the leading independent CPD accreditation institution operating across industry sectors to complement the CPD policies of professional and academic bodies.

When would you like to start?

Start straight away and join a global classroom of learners. If the course hasn’t started yet you’ll see the future date listed below.

  • Available now

Learning on this course

On every step of the course you can meet other learners, share your ideas and join in with active discussions in the comments.

What will you achieve?

By the end of the course, you‘ll be able to...

  • Demonstrate methods by which complex problems can be reframed as opportunities
  • Apply design thinking as a creative force to drive and foster innovation and change
  • Interpret systemic, intractable challenges through the eyes of users (people, patients, staff)
  • Explore the use of prototypes to test solutions with minimum cost and risk
  • Identify opportunities for using design methods within your own health or social care environment
  • Reflect on insights from successful design-led innovation projects in a range of health settings

Who is the course for?

This course is for healthcare and social care professionals, who are interested in making positive change.

The course is ideal for both clinical and non-clinical staff and features methods and tools that can be applied by managers, consultants, nurses, allied health professionals, and community care staff.

Who will you learn with?

I am a designer with a passion for products and services that make a difference to people’s lives. Specialising in healthcare I spend most of my time working with frontline staff in the NHS.

I'm a Consultant and Reader in Clinical Genetics. In addition to my clinical role, I am engaged in genomic research and am committed to improving medical education.

I've spent years working with social businesses to find new approaches in the face of increasing demand and limited budgets. I now spend my time designing health-related, user-led content.

Who developed the course?

St George's, University of London

St George’s is the UK’s only university dedicated to medical and health sciences education, training and research.

Howdu

Howdu is an independent design consultancy working in the public, private and voluntary sectors to design better business models, products and systems.

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Ways to learn

Choose the best way to learn for you!

Subscribe & save

$27.99

For the first two months. Automatically renews

Develop skills to further your career

  • Access to this course
  • Access to 1,000+ courses
  • Learn at your own pace
  • Discuss your learning in comments
  • Digital certificate when you're eligible

Cancel for free anytime

Buy this course

$109/one-off payment

Fulfill your current learning need

  • Access to this course
  • Learn at your own pace
  • Discuss your learning in comments
  • Printed and digital certificate when you’re eligible

Limited access

Free

Sample the course materials

  • Access expires 11 Apr 2024

Find out more about certificates, Unlimited or buying a course (Upgrades)

T&Cs apply.

Learning on FutureLearn

Your learning, your rules

  • Courses are split into weeks, activities, and steps to help you keep track of your learning
  • Learn through a mix of bite-sized videos, long- and short-form articles, audio, and practical activities
  • Stay motivated by using the Progress page to keep track of your step completion and assessment scores

Join a global classroom

  • Experience the power of social learning, and get inspired by an international network of learners
  • Share ideas with your peers and course educators on every step of the course
  • Join the conversation by reading, @ing, liking, bookmarking, and replying to comments from others

Map your progress

  • As you work through the course, use notifications and the Progress page to guide your learning
  • Whenever you’re ready, mark each step as complete, you’re in control
  • Complete 90% of course steps and all of the assessments to earn your certificate

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