Participatory Design of Healthcare Technology with Children

Purpose: There are many frameworks and methods for involving children in design research. The field of Human Computer Interaction (HCI) provides a rich source of methods for involving children in the design of technologies. Design/methodology/approach: This paper examines the various approaches for involving children in design, giving consideration to whether they view children as objects of study or as active participants.Findings: The BRuger Involvering i Design, GEntænkt (English: User Involvement in Design, Revised - BRIDGE ) method is a sociocultural approach to product design that views children as active participants, enabling them to contribute to the design process as competent and resourceful partners. An example is provided, in which the BRIDGE method was successfully applied to developing upper limb prostheses with children.Originality/value: Approaching design in this way can provide children with opportunities to develop social, academic and design skills and to develop autonomy.