Design and development of 'Helder in Gesprek': A tool to support person-centred communication in memory clinics

OBJECTIVE: Person-centred communication in memory clinics is essential, but often not optimal. This study aimed to develop a solution that supports people with cognitive complaints in expressing their needs and preferences during memory clinic consultations.

METHODS: Following a human-centred design approach, co-researchers (n = 4 people with dementia) identified a problem statement. This problem was confirmed and elaborated upon via a questionnaire (n = 25) and focus group (n = 18) for triangulation purposes, and in co-design sessions with people with cognitive complaints (n = 3), care partners (n = 2), and clinicians (n = 3). These sessions informed prototype development in collaboration with a design agency. Usability and User eXperience (UX) testing were conducted with people with cognitive complaints (n = 30), care partners (n = 4), and clinicians (n = 17) via think-aloud sessions, interviews, questionnaires, and focus groups.

RESULTS: Co-researchers emphasized the importance of clinicians gaining a holistic understanding of someone's life and circumstances, which was confirmed in the 'triangulation' questionnaire, focus group, and co-design sessions. Co-design resulted in a digital and analogue prototype of 'Helder in Gesprek' ('Clear in Conversation'), a tool to assist people with cognitive complaints in reflecting on what they wish to share with their clinician and facilitate communication during consultations. Usability testing revealed a generally positive attitude toward the prototypes, while also identifying areas for improvement, such as navigation, system feedback, understandability, distinguishable elements, and cognitive overload.

CONCLUSION: Our human-centred design approach informed the design and development of two prototypes of 'Helder in Gesprek'. Usability and UX testing provide directions for re-design and feasibility testing in a real-world setting.