Negotiating design in sceptical territory: challenges in healthcare

Recent healthcare-based co-design initiatives demonstrate successful health service innovation and improvement apparently without the need for Designers. In contrast, Design finds difficulty in developing a sustainable programme within a sector where the randomised controlled trial is regarded as the gold standard, problematizing Design’s potential contribution. Macdonald explores Design’s challenges, legitimacy and contribution in the healthcare sector, particularly with reference to the ageing demographic, and tensions between individual need, social challenges and technological solutions.