Involving children in the design of healthcare technology

Although children are potential end users of healthcare technology, very little research has investigated their role in its design. Subsequently, very little guidance and few research methods are available for designers of healthcare technology to use in practice. Given that research involving funding from public sector sources in the United Kingdom calls for the compulsory addition of user involvement, there is a need to explore the most suitable methods to ensure the involvement of child populations in the design of healthcare technology. The first stage of the research explored the use of four interview methods for involving children in healthcare technology design. Personal and environmental factors influencing child involvement were examined, alongside the cost and value of child participation. A framework for examining the use of methods for designing with children was also developed and applied. The experience gathered from involving children in the first stage was used to inform the development of an internet application and practice guidelines in the second stage of the research. The internet application was provided as a means of overcoming a range of barriers to child involvement, including disability. The internet application also provided the opportunity to explore the involvement of children in the evaluation of healthcare technology. The experience gathered throughout all of the research was synthesised to produce guidelines for future research in the area. Although interview methods were used to involve children in the design of healthcare technology, future research should focus on examining a wider range of methods. It is recommended that strategies for validating information gathered from children should also be developed. Such future endeavours could be assisted by the insight provided in the guidelines and experiences formed throughout this research.