From patient experience to practical proposals for communicating patient rights
As part of my internship at OPZ Geel, a psychiatric hospital in Belgium, I conducted a six-week research and design project within the older adults division.
The objective was to explore how patients, both voluntary and involuntary, experience communication regarding their rights and the financial aspects of their stay.
This topic is inherently complex, particularly in the context of mental health crises, where cognitive and emotional load may significantly affect patients’ ability to process essential information.
Investigate current communication practices around patient rights and finances
Understand the patient and caregiver experience through qualitative methods
Identify opportunities to improve clarity, accessibility, and personalisation in communication
project objective
Conducted patient journey mapping
Performed observations and interviews with staff and patients
Facilitated interactive brainstorming sessions and co-creation workshops
Approach
Results
I carried out this project from the very first exploratory steps through to the results I was able to achieve within six weeks. Because the project involved working directly with patients, I carefully adhered to all privacy and data-protection requirements. Before starting fieldwork in the psychiatric hospital, I developed a detailed project proposal, which was reviewed and approved.
As the sole service designer on the project, I was responsible for the entire design process from research to concept development. The project resulted in a presentation to the organisation’s executive board, as well as several presentations within mental-health professional networks.
“The student brought talents and skills that we do not normally have available in the hospital.”
An article that highlights my project at OPZ Geel focused on making information about hospital admission costs and patient rights clearer and more accessible.
Proud of this project and grateful for the trust and great collaboration. A human-centered approach remains my driving force.