DESIGNING FOR TRUST IN EMERGING TECHNOLOGIES IN THE HEALTH SECTOR

Abstract

Design as an academic discipline requires a good deal of practice-based research and learning. By the same time, design theory and its findings and reflections become increasingly important for design professionals and practitioners. Yet, sensible ways to incorporate research in design practice are scarce. In order to facilitate cross-pollination of design theory and practice, this article discusses the connection of a literature study and the development of a designer tool to employ theoretical insights in trust in emerging technologies in the health sector for practice. The ubiquitous spread of emerging technologies (ET) has created opportunities that profoundly impact sectors such as policymaking, administration, economy, science, and health sectors and ET products, and systems services might alter society as a whole. The dilemma that while technologies are becoming smarter and more connected, they are seemingly getting more obscure and ambiguous as well, raises some important questions related to trust. Considering that trust is a highly dynamic and complex phenomenon, for example considering aspects such as risk and uncertainty, this article sketches out how trust can be theoretically revisited and practically strengthened in situations, where both risk and uncertainty are bound to be involved. The first part of the article investigates how trust in emerging technologies is reflected in current (design) literature and how its presence or lack can impact an emergency response. The second part presents a design a tool that facilitates to promote and sustain trust in emerging technology products used during emergencies. The article further reflects on how correspondence between design research and practice can be integrated into curricula, regarding emerging technologies, and to prepare future designers on their societal roles and responsibilities. The main goal of this article is to deliver a set of comprehensive guidelines on how a designer can contribute to create a higher level of trust, whilst substantiating not only how, but also why it is important and to consider trust throughout the whole the design process.