Emma Chisholm
Healthy voices is a series of interactive pop-ups inviting the public to re-design sexual health services.
About
Stigma.
The greatest challenge that all sexual health clinics face. It not only acts as a formidable barrier for individuals seeking treatment but obstructs improvements from being made to the service. With an increase in user-centred design and realistic medicine, healthcare workers are now striving to make their services more patient-centred. However, how can we improve sexual health services if the fear of embarrassment prevents patients from communicating issues with staff?
As part of my user research, I became a patient in the service and was asked to provide a urine sample in a polystyrene tub. I was left feeling confused as the product was not fit for purpose, but I felt too embarrassed to communicate this with a member of staff. As this was the first touchpoint within my journey inside the clinic, it significantly impacted the remainder of the experience. Following this, I conducted a range of interviews with a group of participants who discussed the difficulties that they faced when providing a urine sample. 8/9 of users stated that they had never discussed this with anyone before mainly due to feelings of embarrassment.
My final outcome involves a series of interactive pop-ups which create environments where individuals can feel comfortable discussing sensitive issues, reducing stigma and breaking down barriers. This allows patients to take ownership of their healthcare by providing them with the opportunity to share ideas on how to improve the overall service.
User research interviews
Those who have used the universal tube explained the challenges of aiming into a small surface area, with one participant stating that they have a ‘routine’ where they wrap toilet roll around the tube to prevent leakage. Users were concerned about the visibility and splash back of the plastic cup. Furthermore, several concerns were raised around the polystyrene tub with users feeling it was de-humanising and one participant who works for the police expressed that providing items which are used in daily life could be a trigger for someone who has suffered a traumatic experience.