Developing evaluation models for patient-centeredness

This paper presents the process and outcomes of a three-month lab activity conducted in preparation for and during the 2024 DRS. Our research focused on developing a framework for an evaluation system designed to integrate patient-centered care (PCC) principles into orthopedic practices. PCC emphasizes the importance of improving health outcomes and fostering inclusivity for individual patients, as healthcare systems often grapple with challenges like fragmented care. Through a collaborative design research lab (DRS) partnership among Polifactory (Politecnico di Milano-Department of Design), the Center for Design at Northeastern University, and healthcare experts at local healthcare institutions (IRCCS Galeazzi and Massachusetts General Hospital), we identified key factors influencing patient-centeredness. Interviews with healthcare professionals and analyses of orthopedic care processes informed the creation of evaluation models aimed at enhancing and evaluating patient-centeredness in order to foster a more inclusive healthcare environment.