SHM Converge Scientific Abstract ePoster Gallery-Sick of Sickling: Using Design Thinking to Craft Meaningful Care Plans for Patients With Sickle Cell Disease

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This project explored how design thinking can improve hospital care plans for patients with sickle cell disease (SCD). The team focused on inpatient experiences at Anschutz Medical Center, where patients with SCD have extended lengths of stay, high readmission rates, and frequent poor performance outcomes. Because individualized care plans can reduce admissions and financial burden, the study aimed to better understand the patient experience and create a more meaningful, collaborative care tool.<br /><br />Using the design thinking framework, the team moved through stages of empathize, define, ideate, prototype, and test. They interviewed seven adult inpatients with SCD between July 15 and July 26, 2024, and performed qualitative thematic analysis. Key themes included trust versus distrust, control, stigma, objective versus subjective pain, burden, connection, and dismissal. From these insights, the team identified goals such as collaborating with patients, presenting their personhood, advocating for them, extending a sense of home, and maintaining consistency in care.<br /><br />The most promising solution was a physical collaboration tool placed in the patient’s care binder. The final prototype included a pain log, a goal-oriented ability meter, and a tiered pain management plan. Interviews with patients suggested a strong desire for physical care plans, better writing tools, and a clearer method for collaboration with providers.<br /><br />The study’s strengths were its patient-centered approach and its focus on improving communication, connection, and consistency. Limitations included the small number of patient interactions with the prototype and limited feedback during the pilot phase. Future work will examine how effective the tool is, especially for high-utilizer patients with SCD.

Asset Subtitle

Kaitlyn A. VanBockern

Meta Tag

Author List Anusha Raja, Chelsea Leversedge, Grace Borkowski, Kaitlyn A. VanBockern, Linde Bischak, Mia Dobbin, Michelle Knees, Samuel Porter, Teaghan Cowles

Category Innovations

Concept Sickle Cell Disease

Concept Inpatient Care

Concept Patient Experience

Concept Patient-Centered Care

Concept Patient-Provider Communication

Distinguished Non-Finalist

Presenter Organization Elson S. Floyd College of Medicine

Presenting Author Kaitlyn A. VanBockern

Track Quality Improvement

Keywords

sickle cell disease

design thinking

hospital care plans

patient-centered care

inpatient experience

qualitative analysis

care collaboration tool

pain management plan

patient trust

medical prototype

Sickle Cell Disease

Inpatient Care

Patient Experience

Patient-Centered Care

Patient-Provider Communication