Presentation
HE10 - Embedding Empathy in Evidence-Based Practice: A Human-Centered Approach to Sustainable Change in Healthcare
SessionPoster Session 2
DescriptionHHF partnered with a tertiary urban hospital to approach an important problem from a human centered lens. The hospital wanted to implement a new Evidence Based Practice (EBP) into clinical obstetrical care with the goal of decreasing maternal morbidity and severe maternal mortality. They wanted to approach change differently by engaging with clinicians and patients in order to ensure that the change would be meaningful, successful and sustainable.
We will explore the novel approach used to discover the current gaps they were facing, what staff needed and wanted, and the experience of care patients desired to have. Traditional implementation methods often overlook the lived experiences of those at the center of healthcare—both frontline clinicians and patients. To address this, we adopted a human-centered design framework rooted in empathy and curiosity. Instead of focusing solely on metrics and outcomes, we engaged deeply with those most affected by the change, aiming to understand their daily challenges, concerns, and values. We approached this from a broad perspective; instead of solely focusing on the new EBP, we imagined it as an entire journey, as a service a patient would receive so that we could have a rich and holistic view of how meaningful change could be accomplished.
By embedding empathy and human-centered principles into the process, we gained invaluable insights into the barriers and facilitators of adoption, while also fostering a strong sense of ownership and engagement among stakeholders. Their voices were integral to shaping the design and ensuring the change was both practical and sustainable.
Throughout the project, we employed various methods to engage clinicians (nurses, physicians, residents) and patients, using interviews, observations, cultural probes, and workshops to capture diverse perspectives. These approaches provided multiple opportunities for stakeholders to engage, ensuring the implementation of the evidence-based practice was meaningful within the hospital's unique environment.
This presentation will showcase our methodology, highlighting strategies for balancing evidence-based practices with real-world constraints and human factors. Attendees will gain practical insights into how empathy-building and collaboration can enhance traditional human factors engineering, leading to more resilient, adaptable, and impactful changes that truly benefit both providers and patients. We will also share how this approach fosters a deep understanding of lived experiences and supports the co-design of sustainable solutions and thoughtful implementation plans in complex healthcare settings.
We will explore the novel approach used to discover the current gaps they were facing, what staff needed and wanted, and the experience of care patients desired to have. Traditional implementation methods often overlook the lived experiences of those at the center of healthcare—both frontline clinicians and patients. To address this, we adopted a human-centered design framework rooted in empathy and curiosity. Instead of focusing solely on metrics and outcomes, we engaged deeply with those most affected by the change, aiming to understand their daily challenges, concerns, and values. We approached this from a broad perspective; instead of solely focusing on the new EBP, we imagined it as an entire journey, as a service a patient would receive so that we could have a rich and holistic view of how meaningful change could be accomplished.
By embedding empathy and human-centered principles into the process, we gained invaluable insights into the barriers and facilitators of adoption, while also fostering a strong sense of ownership and engagement among stakeholders. Their voices were integral to shaping the design and ensuring the change was both practical and sustainable.
Throughout the project, we employed various methods to engage clinicians (nurses, physicians, residents) and patients, using interviews, observations, cultural probes, and workshops to capture diverse perspectives. These approaches provided multiple opportunities for stakeholders to engage, ensuring the implementation of the evidence-based practice was meaningful within the hospital's unique environment.
This presentation will showcase our methodology, highlighting strategies for balancing evidence-based practices with real-world constraints and human factors. Attendees will gain practical insights into how empathy-building and collaboration can enhance traditional human factors engineering, leading to more resilient, adaptable, and impactful changes that truly benefit both providers and patients. We will also share how this approach fosters a deep understanding of lived experiences and supports the co-design of sustainable solutions and thoughtful implementation plans in complex healthcare settings.
Authors
Event Type
Poster Presentation
TimeTuesday, April 14:45pm - 6:15pm EDT
LocationFrontenac Foyer