Design Thinking and Welfare Technology: A Focus on Information Design

Abstract

Digitalization has transformed the ways in which people interact, communicate, work and study. In social and healthcare services, in line with this transformation, the use of welfare technology is increasing. Implementation of such technology requires careful planning, including skilled design of information to be given to and collected from different kinds of users. In this study, the results of research on welfare technology are reported and concluded with needs for information design for the successful implementation and use of such technology. The empirical data were collected in Finland among end-users, professional caregivers and care managers. The data were analysed qualitatively. As the tool of the information design focus, a comprehensive information quality framework was utilized to identify and disaggregate needs for information design with the help of attributes of high-quality information. Finally, discussion cards and an animation were produced as tangible outcomes for use in social and healthcare workplaces and education to advance smoother implementation and use of welfare technology. The results revealed important needs for information design to successfully implement and orient towards welfare technology. Implementation and orientation processes should be empowerment processes, in which high-quality information empowers people to attain goals.