Co-designing child friendly PPE
Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) has become ubiquitous in 2020 due to the COVID-19 global pandemic. Yet, PPE can be scary, unfriendly, and confronting for children. Working with Sunshine Coast University Hospital and Queensland Children’s Hospital, this project aims to develop less frightening PPE for the staff to wear, so that the children they interact with are less afraid.
Who was involved?
This project involved healthcare professionals working in paediatric settings. From the Queensland Children’s Hospital are Associate Professor Julia Clark, Dr Kerri-Lyn Webb, and Heidi Atkins. From the Sunshine Coast University Hospital are Dr Clare Thomas and Dr Lauren Kearney (also from the University of Sunshine Coast). From the QUT Design Lab, the project is led by Associate Professor Marianella Chamorro-Koc assisted by Dr Rafael Gomez, and HEAL HDR Intern Isabel Byram.
What was the process?
This research began with a contextual study, field study, and product investigation, followed by a co-design process at each hospital to involve paediatricians, nurses, children, and their carers.
What were the outcomes?
Two early PPE designs, Halo and Sunny, have been delivered, with further refinement and implementation opportunities to follow.
