Event Takeaways
- Research into women health issues and how more general health concerns impact women differently from men has been significantly underfunded.
- Design— with its unique research methodology and user-centric approach to problem solving— can help close the gender gap in healthcare by improving access, equity, and patient outcomes.
- Incorporating lived experiences in the design research and processes with an emphasis on collaboration and community focus can result in more effective healthcare solutions for women.
- Addressing women's health needs requires a multidisciplinary approach, drawing on insights from diverse fields.
- The nature of design thinking— creating a space for inclusion, collaboration, co-design, iteration, investigation, exploration, prototyping, testing— provides opportunity to design for ongoing stewardship by incorporating feedback loops to support ongoing learning and refinement.
Listen to the full event recording
The event brought together healthcare experts, designers, and patient advocates to discuss how integrating women into all aspects of decision making and understanding patient experiences can lead to a more inclusive, responsive, resilient and human health-care system.
The panel was led by Colleen Young, a social innovator and online community strategist internationally recognized for her expertise in building thriving online health communities. The far-ranging discussion centered on how design principles can reshape women's healthcare. Panelists emphasized that effective healthcare design requires integrating gender-specific research, lived experiences, and creative problem-solving to address barriers like access, bias, and health literacy.
The discussion opened with Dr. Sheila O’Keefe McCarthy relating her experiences as a researcher focused on heart health in what has been a traditionally male-centric field.
Dr. O’Keefe McCarthy Speaks from the Heart
"If we don't listen deeply and pay attention to the lived experiences of those we're designing for, we miss the mark" - Dr. Sheila O'Keefe-McCarthy
Focused on heart health, Dr. O’Keefe McCarthy revealed how traditional research often overlooks early warning signs specific to women. For years, cardiovascular studies primarily involved male subjects, which skewed clinical guidelines. Dr. O’Keefe McCarthy detailed her transition to a “women-first” approach, emphasizing the importance of early symptom recognition. She described her collaborative project with Pivot Design Group, which developed a user-centric app to help women identify early warning signs of heart disease. The app was shaped by input from female patients, underscoring the value of co-designing with users to enhance adoption and impact.
For Dr. Simone Vigod, It’s Head over Heart
"Women are not small men— our healthcare needs are unique, and it's time we educate providers to reflect that." - Dr. Simone Vigod
Dr. Vigod addressed mental health challenges during pregnancy, highlighting the need for timely and accessible interventions. She noted that up to 20% of individuals experience mental health issues, such as depression or anxiety around the time of pregnancy yet healthcare access remains inconsistent. Dr. Vigod shared the development journey of an online decision-making tool designed to support pregnant women managing mental health medications. Despite initial hurdles—like design missteps and funding constraints—the project evolved into a more straightforward, user-focused interface. She stressed that patient feedback was crucial, particularly the need for a familiar, conversational tone that replicated a clinician's guidance.
Jade Haley’s Personal Story Underscored the Need for Safe Spaces in the Healthcare Ecosystem
"Healthcare providers should see patients as individuals first, not through the lens of gender or bias." - Jade Haley
Jade Haley powerfully relayed her own story on navigating healthcare as a transgender woman. She shared that accessing gender-affirming care was transformative, enabling her to stabilize her life, secure housing, and find meaningful work. Haley advocated for better education and training for healthcare providers, emphasizing that simple steps, such as using inclusive language and eliminating biases, can make a significant difference in patient experiences. Her story underscored the need for healthcare spaces to feel welcoming and safe, particularly for marginalized groups.
Dr. Mireille Norris Stresses that Economic and Systematic Barriers Challenge Racialized Women
In the medical field, we need to partner with creative types and welcome them into that space to help us imagine." - Dr. Mireille Norris
Dr. Norris spoke about her experiences working with aging racialized women, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic. She described how economic instability, lack of trust, and systemic barriers disproportionately affected these communities. Dr. Norris argued that design solutions must be adaptable, culturally sensitive, and rooted in community engagement. She shared examples from her work at community health centres, where she saw firsthand how tailored interventions— like multilingual resources and localized healthcare services— can overcome access challenges.
An Energetic Q&A Session Wraps this DesignMeets Edition
During the Q&A, audience members posed questions about menopause, the role of design beyond digital solutions, and pathways for healthcare innovation:
Menopause Awareness: Several participants noted a lack of education and resources on menopause, with panelists agreeing that knowledge gaps persist. Dr. Vigod acknowledged that while research has improved, cultural stigmas and fragmented care remain significant barriers.
Design Beyond Technology: The panel explored how art, music, and non-digital interventions can enhance healthcare experiences. Dr. O’Keefe McCarthy shared how she uses storytelling and art therapy to communicate medical information more effectively, transforming abstract data into relatable narratives.
Bridging Innovation Gaps: Attendees sought advice on launching healthcare innovations. Panelists suggested partnering with academic institutions, community organizations, and experienced designers to turn ideas into scalable projects.
Closing Thoughts
The event made clear that improving women’s health through design is a collaborative effort. Solutions must reflect the diverse realities of women, considering biological, social, and economic factors. By fostering interdisciplinary approaches, the healthcare community can make strides toward a more inclusive, responsive system. As panelists emphasized, empathy, patient-centered design, and a commitment to continuous learning are key to transforming women's health for the better.
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About Design Meets
Proudly sponsored by Pivot Design Group, founded by Ian Chalmers, DesignMeets is a series of social events where the design community can connect, collaborate, and share ideas. Join us at a DesignMeets event to network, learn, and be inspired.
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