Abstract
Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is now a widely used diagnostic imaging procedure that has been employed throughout hospitals all over the world for over twenty years. MRI technology allows doctors and specialists to examine internal parts of the human body such as the brain and spinal chord, without invasive procedures. Studies show that children frequently find MRI scanning daunting and occasionally frightening despite the examinations non-invasive qualities. The principle contributors to this negative experience have been identified as the sterile ambiance of the hospital environment, the claustrophobic tunnel or bore that the patient lies within, the overly warm temperatures, high noise level and especially the requirement of the patient to remain absolutely still for prolonged periods of time. Approximately twenty undergraduate students undertaking the Bachelor of Industrial Design programme at Monash University where engaged in a collaborative research project to take an industrial design methodology in creating a more child friendly approach to this issue of child anxiety during an MRI procedure. Their solutions were inventive and wide ranging in outcome stimulating discussion within the medical discipline concerning this very real issue. The aspiration of this project is that these design concepts will stimulate further research leading to evaluative building and testing in the future.
Keywords
Methods, Industrial Design, Magnetic Resonance Imaging, Children
Citation
Coxon, S. (2006) Industrial Design as contributor to relieving child anxiety in the course of MRI scanning procedures., in Friedman, K., Love, T., Côrte-Real, E. and Rust, C. (eds.), Wonderground - DRS International Conference 2006, 1-4 November, Lisbon, Portugal. https://dl.designresearchsociety.org/drs-conference-papers/drs2006/researchpapers/19
Industrial Design as contributor to relieving child anxiety in the course of MRI scanning procedures.
Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is now a widely used diagnostic imaging procedure that has been employed throughout hospitals all over the world for over twenty years. MRI technology allows doctors and specialists to examine internal parts of the human body such as the brain and spinal chord, without invasive procedures. Studies show that children frequently find MRI scanning daunting and occasionally frightening despite the examinations non-invasive qualities. The principle contributors to this negative experience have been identified as the sterile ambiance of the hospital environment, the claustrophobic tunnel or bore that the patient lies within, the overly warm temperatures, high noise level and especially the requirement of the patient to remain absolutely still for prolonged periods of time. Approximately twenty undergraduate students undertaking the Bachelor of Industrial Design programme at Monash University where engaged in a collaborative research project to take an industrial design methodology in creating a more child friendly approach to this issue of child anxiety during an MRI procedure. Their solutions were inventive and wide ranging in outcome stimulating discussion within the medical discipline concerning this very real issue. The aspiration of this project is that these design concepts will stimulate further research leading to evaluative building and testing in the future.