Mittelstadt
Scout the self-injection toolkit
Industrial + Interaction Design Thesis
Timeline
Recognition
The Problem
The Solution
September 2018 - May 2019
> Received Arthur J. Pulos Award for Excellence in Thesis Scholarship
> Featured by Women In Design Chicago
Self-injection medical therapies are managed independently in the home by those seeking care. But these therapies lack the responsiveness, organization, and guidance necessary for people to be independent, safe, and capable.
Scout responds to pain points within healthcare that happens in the home, and creates a future of self-injection therapies that is empathetic, supportive, and fit for the home.
For one year I had struggled with my own self-injection therapy process.
I wondered, are other people having experiences similar to mine?
"I had to search for information about what to do if anything went wrong."
"I learned by trial and error, and there were some major errors."
"The equipment reminds me that I am sick."
"I pour myself some wine, turn the lights down, and sit there until the wine is gone. Then I smoke a cigarette. Once that is done I know it is time to go."
"I gave up with the instructions because I cannot inject into my stomach. I just do it in the same leg and don't tell my doctor about it."
"I hate the damn needle."
Without the needed support and education, people self-injecting find their own solutions to their problems. But this involves a period of trial and error that results in dangerous mistakes and the adoption of unsafe practices and routines that impact the overall effectiveness of their care plan as well as their mental health and sense of empowerment and agency.
What is the future of home healthcare?
and
How might we improve self-injection experiences for people new to treatments?
Power to the Patient
What are your goals? Scout safely guides people through the trial and error process of self-injections and encourages users to establish routines or rituals that help them work towards their goals.
Organization and Ritualization
Every tool in the kit has its designated place. From top to bottom, the items are ordered in the way they are used. Injections become a muscle memory routine as each item is taken from the kit from the same place every time.
Fit for the Home
Scout's name and packaging signifies the treatment journey that is taken as a person's lifestyle and identity shifts. The packaging does not identify it as medical, which was something important to people during user testing.
Safety and Sharps Disposal
There is a lack of attention to safely disposing of sharps from the home by physicians and healthcare team members. Scout makes safe disposal a part of the injection process and gives users access to a needle clipper.
Developing Scout
