Clinicians as mediators in participatory design research: a communication design study in paediatric healthcare

Participatory design is a democratic process that involves direct collaboration with end-users to achieve design outcomes. In healthcare, patients are often considered the most valuable group to recruit into participatory design activities. However, when designing in unpredictable health settings with end-users who may be marginalised, direct designer-patient interaction is not always advisable, and as a result, designers may perceive that they are neglecting the fundamental democratic principles of participatory design. This article presents a communication design study that was conducted in an Australian children's hospital where clinicians were used as designer-patient mediators. I argue that the use of mediators can open up participation to a much wider range of end-users, including those that a designer cannot access, aligning with participatory design's democratic philosophy.