Valuing the design process in HIV prevention, diagnosis and stigma

A group of health workers and designers teamed up to develop novel ways to respond to HIV prevention, diagnosis, and HIV-stigma challenges. Theyintegratedcreative, participatory, user-centred design skills with scientificand clinical expertise to address emerging challenges. This paper explains how this interdisciplinary collaboration evolved, reflecting on how a design centred approach is valued and influences collaboration and outcomes in health projects. The research explores three projectsin which design tools and methods such as user workshops, user journeys, scenarios, personas and interaction mockupswere employed. Project oneaimed to developa pilot service to encourage HIV self-testing among men who have sex with men (MSM). Itincluded a series of design workshops involving members of the LGBT community and People Living with HIV (PLWH). The final design involved the building and testing of a bespoke vending machine to distribute free self-test kits, and of its digital interface. Project two aimedtodevelop a programme/campaign toincrease HIV testing rates in general practice surgeries in Brighton and Hove. Project three, intendedto reduce HIV stigma anddiscrimination using digital resources disseminated via social media platforms. The paper identifies criticalaspects emerging from the collaborative design process, shows how it is valuedby health workers and demonstrateshow the utilizationof a design centred approach enables creative responsesand facilitates collaboration and user involvement in the context of HIV prevention, diagnosis and treatment.